For many people, a “Canadian Gold Maple Leaf” may sound like a type of leaf falling from a native Canadian tree.
So, what is a Canadian Gold Maple Leaf? The Leaf is a gold coin that has become quite popular in the market for valuable gold coins.
This guide will cover everything there is to know about the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf, including its history, worth, and advice for investment.
We’ll also cover some of the most frequently asked questions about this collectible coin.
What is a Canadian Gold Maple Leaf?
The Canadian Gold Maple Leaf is a gold bullion coin issued by the Canadian Government and produced by the Royal Canadian Mint.
A bullion coin is a coin that derives its monetary value from the rare metal used to create it (such as gold or silver) rather than a set, standard currency.
Because of this, the value of an official bullion coin can fluctuate, as opposed to a coin with a set value, such as a penny, whose value will not change over time.
The Gold Maple Leaf is a popular choice for investors and coin collectors because it has one of the highest purity ratings of government-issued gold coins.
The coin is produced with 99.99% gold and features a beautiful design of Queen Elizabeth II and a maple leaf, the national symbol of Canada.
How Much is a Canadian Gold Maple Leaf Worth?
The official monetary worth of a Canadian Gold Maple Leaf is 50 Canadian dollars. This worth only refers to the face value of the coin, which is the value issued by the government and mint in the production of the coin.
The market value is the worth most collectors and investors care about, as this value fluctuates with the value of the rare metal used to create the coin.
Because of this, the market value of a Canadian Gold Maple Leaf is constantly changing as the price of gold changes.
Canadian Gold Maple Leaf Coins
There have been several changes to the design and production of the Canadian Maple Leaf gold coin as the Canadian government has refined the process.
History of the coins
The Canadian Gold Maple Leaf was first produced in 1979. The Gold Maple Leaf was among the first bullion coins minted by a government, along with the South African Krugerrand and the Austrian 100 Corona.
The earliest coins produced had the lowest “fineness” or purity, though they still contained 99.99% gold.
When measuring the purity of rare metals, leaving the measurement at “99.99%” isn’t quite enough, so the fineness is measured by the number of nines that follow the decimal point.
The earliest coins issued from 1979 to 1982 have a fineness of three nines, while the standard, modern coins have a fineness of four nines.
Commemorative and limited edition coins have often had a purity as high as five nines.
Size of the coins
When the coin was first issued in 1979 by the Royal Canadian Mint, only one size was available: a coin weighing one Troy ounce.
A Troy ounce is a measurement specifically created to weigh precious metals, and one Troy ounce weighs a bit more than a standard ounce (Troy ounce at 31.1 grams and standard ounce at 28.35 grams).
In 1982, the Royal Canadian Mint began releasing smaller coin denominations. Now, the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf is available in one ounce (face value $50), a half ounce (face value $25), a quarter ounce (face value $10), and one-tenth ounce (face value $5).
The size of the coin varies with the weight. The standard one-ounce coin has a 30mm diameter (1.29 inches) and a 2.80mm thickness (0.12 inches).
The smaller denomination sizes are as follows: half ounce (25mm/0.98in diameter, 2.23mm/0.088in thickness), quarter ounce (20mm/0.79in diameter, 1.7mm/0.067in thickness), and one-tenth ounce (16mm/0.63in diameter, 1.22mm/0.048in thickness).
Pros and Cons
As one of the purest gold bullion coins on the market, the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf is considered an excellent coin for collectors and investors.
One of the issues that consumers have with the product is a byproduct of that gold purity. Because the coin has such high purity, the softness of the gold can lead to marking.
Handling the coin can quickly leave marks if not handled carefully and may lead to obscuring or harming the distinct image of Queen Elizabeth II on the coin.
Is a Canadian Gold Maple Leaf a Good Investment?
If you are a coin collector or an investor interested in gold, the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf is an excellent investment.
The coin is one of the highest purity modern gold bullion coins available, and special editions especially are considered a solid investment if you are hoping to resell.
The Canadian government and Royal Canadian Mint frequently work to create special and limited edition coins to commemorate events.
Many collectors have shown interest as colorful and holographic versions of the Gold Maple Leaf are coveted collector’s items.
If collecting is your goal, this is one of the best gold coins to keep in your collection.
FAQ’s
Here are some frequently asked questions regarding the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf.
