Quick Facts About Silver Canadian Maple Leaf Coins
The Canadian Maple Leaf coins are some of the most popular bullion coins in the world. These coins have gained an outstanding reputation due to their exceptional purity and exquisite design. Therefore the coins make an excellent choice not only for coin collectors, but also for investors. In particular, silver Maple Leaf coins enjoy widespread admiration in the numismatic community.
Advantages of the Silver Maple Leaf
The Royal Canadian Mint has produced silver Maple Leaf coins every year since 1988. The coins’ market value oftenfar exceeds its face value of $5; some years, the coin is valued at quadruple the minted price. The high demand for silver coins drives premiums much higher than those of both gold and platinum Canadian Maple Leafs. Although all Maple Leaf coins, are high quality, the silver coins are unique in the international silver coin market:
- The global standard for silver coins is 99.9% purity. Silver Canadian Maple Leaf coins are 99.99% pure, making them the purest coins issued by any government mint.
- The coins are minted in limited numbers, increasing desirability among collectors.
- Canadian Maple Leaf coins feature beautifully crafted designs. Updated periodically, the coins’ variety makes them even more collectible.
Design of the Canadian Maple Leaf
The obverse of the Canadian Maple Leaf features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, in homage to Canada’s colonial tie to Britain. Three portrait designs have been used, each representing a different period in the monarch’s lifetime. From time to time the Royal Canadian Mint incorporates special enhancements such as colorization or holographic effects on the coin’s reverse. These designs generally commemorate historical milestonesor special events.
- In 1989, the Royal Canadian Mint issued silver Canadian Maple Leaf proof coins.
- To commemorate the tenth anniversary of the coin’s release in 1998, the Mint released a special 10-oz Canadian Maple Leaf coin.
- The following year a privy mark coin was issued to commemorate the 20-year anniversary of the Royal Canadian Mint’s Maple Leaf Program.
- In 2000, the privy mark coin featured fireworks.
- The mint issued a double-dated coin in honor of the millennium. The coin’s reverse read 1999-2000.
- This year the Royal Canadian Mint issued a silver coin celebrating the 2010 Winter Olympics.
Since the coin’s production began, the silver Canadian Maple Leaf has grown increasingly popular. In 2009 the Royal Canadian Mint packed the coins in tubes of 25, rather than individually packing them in Mylar. The Mint made this decision based on the incredible demand for bulk supplies of the coins.
The appeal of the silver Maple Leaf coin is sure to grow with time. For investors and collectors alike, the silver Canadian Maple Leaf offers an excellent opportunity to own a beautiful and valuable numismatic masterpiece.
This information is provided for general reference purposes and does not constitute professional advice. For detailed coin collecting or investing information, please consult with a professional expert.