Canadian Maple Leaf

Several countries have issued 1 oz investment gold coins that are sold based on the market price of gold and at very low brokerage. The Maple or Maple Leaf is the Canadian version of this coin.

The History of the Maple

Canada was the first country that introduced a coin made of pure gold. When Maples were first introduced in 1979, they were only 1oz coins and made of gold with a 999.0 proof (99,9% pure gold). In 1983, the proof was changed to 999.9 (99.99% pure gold). This may seem like a better offer for Maple buyers, but the change was so small that the Royal Canadian Mint did not even increase the price of Maples. The difference between 999,9 and 999,99 proofs is almost immeasurable.

The Maple coin family

Maples are available in five different sizes: 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/10 oz and 1/20 oz. Maple coins are special because their nominal values are not subject to regular mathematics. If the nominal value of a 1oz coin is 50 CAD and the nominal value of a dime is 5 CAD, then the nominal value of a quarter is 10 CAD and not 12.5 as one might assume.

Design

The front side features a portrait of Elizabeth II as well as the nominal value and the year of issue of the coin.

The national symbol of Canada is a maple leaf and it is therefore a natural ornament for the reverse side of a Canadian gold coin. The reverse side also carries the size of the coin and the proof.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS