After reading the stories behind America’s iconic Buffalo Gold Coin, we’re turning our attention to Canada’s Gold Maple Leaf!
The Gold Maple Leaf
If author Ian Fleming made his character Auric Goldfinger a modest numismatist instead of an evil arch-villain, Goldfinger’s gold obsession would point him towards Canada’s Gold Maple Leaf coin… and for good reason. In globally minted gold bullion coinage space, Gold Maple Leaf coins have the unrivaled purity of .9999 millesimal fineness. (Note: some special edition Canadian Gold Maple Leaf coins contain marked gold purity levels of .99999). Such near-perfect quality has made the Gold Maple Leaf one of the most valued and collected precious metal coins since its inception in 1979.
The Golden Pride of Canada
Produced by the Royal Canadian Mint, the Gold Maple Leaf was originally brainstormed by Walter Ott as an alternative gold bullion coin to the South African Krugerrand. Ott’s minted vision was to quickly become the world’s purest, and most popular gold coin. The coin’s purity notwithstanding, its most notable feature is the understated design it has showcased for over three decades.
Featuring the profile of Queen Elizabeth II (with the mint date and monetary face value) on the obverse, contrasted by a Canadian Maple Leaf image on the reverse, the Gold Maple Leaf currently enjoys five minted denominations: 1/20 Troy Ounce ($1 Canada face value); 1/10 Troy Ounce ($5 Canada face value); 1/4 Troy Ounce ($10 Canada face value); 1/2 Troy Ounce ($20 Canada face value); 1 Troy Ounce ($50 Canada face value). In 2007, the Royal Canadian Mint issued a record-setting Gold Maple Leaf coin that weighed in at 100 kg (3,215 Troy Ounces!) with a face value of $1 million. This Gold Maple Leaf was quickly certified by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s largest gold coin.
For a coin as appealing as the Gold Maple Leaf, one might forgive a small historical misstep. In 1994, a 1/15 Troy Ounce minting was offered to the public. Unfortunately, collectors did not embrace the new size as expected, and it became relegated to just a single-year mintage.
A Coveted Canadian Coin
To date, the Gold Maple Leaf continues to be an outstanding investment-grade bullion coin. Collecting aficionados and keen investors covet this coin. Aesthetically and value-wise, Gold Maple Leaf coins represent the finest examples of gold bullion currency. Whether purchased as a hedge against inflation or simply as an addition to one’s existing coin collection, the Gold Maple Leaf’s exceptional purity sets it apart from other gold bullion coinage.
If you’re an international gold buyer or coin collector, visit our website to learn about the Gold Maple Leaf and other types of bullion we offer.