Canadian Maple Leaf Gold Coin
The maple leaf is not just Canada’s official symbol. The Canadian Maple Leaf gold coin is also Canada’s official gold bullion. It is minted by the Royal Canadian Mint and released in 1, 1/2, 1/4, 1/10 and 1/20 ounce gold coins, corresponding to face value denominations of $50, $20, $10, $5 and $1, respectively. Gold Canadian Maples are unique in the sense that they are minted with pure .9999 fine gold, which is very unusual for a malleable metal such as gold.
Maple Leaf gold coins are minted exclusively with gold originating from Canada’s gold mines. Production began in 1979, long before the more popular American Eagle. Although the South African Krugerrand was also available as official gold bullion, it was nearly impossible to obtain due to sanctions on South Africa as a result of apartheid. Thus, the Canadian Maple was an instant success among coin collectors and investors, and its popularity continues to this day. Its purity and recognition worldwide make it a popular investment.
It must be noted that, due to their purity (24k or 0.9999 fine), Gold Maples must be handled with care. The fact that gold is a malleable and “soft” metal makes the coins susceptible to scratches and blemishes and requires extreme caution while handling the coins.
