Gold Maple Leaf
Hoping to invest in precious metals? Look no further than the American Eagle Gold coin and the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf. Gold bullion coins are uncorrelated sources of investment diversification, are legal tender in the respective countries, and make unique gifts to commemorate big life moments.
Canada Launches the Gold Maple Leaf Coin. In 2019, the Gold Maple Leaf Coin marked its 40th anniversary. The Royal Canadian Mint introduced the 1-ounce coin in 1979. At the time, the purity of the coin’s gold was 99.9%. Back then, South African Krugerrands were the only pure gold bullion coins being minted anywhere in the world. The Canadian Gold Maple Leaf Coins have a purity value of 99.9999%, sometimes extending to 99.99999% (Yes, five nines behind the point). This means that the serrate-edged coins are pure gold and nothing less. On the obverse of the coins are an engraving of Queen Elizabeth II while the reverse has an engraving of the Canadian maple leaf. The Canadian Gold Maple Leaf 1 oz 2021 has been one of the world’s most popular bullion coins for decades. First issued in 1979 the Gold Maple Leaf competes with other pure gold coins like the American Gold Buffalo and the Austrian Gold Philharmonic. The 1993 issue of the Gold Maple Leafs included a 1/20 oz coin and more recently, the Royal Canadian Mint introduced a regularly issued 1 Gram Gold Maple Leaf as well. To this date, the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf coins remain available in 1 oz, ½ oz, ¼ oz, 1/10 oz, 1/20 oz, and 1 Gram. Each of these coins has a face value in Canadian dollars (CAD). The gold Maple Leaf continues to be a valued and portable asset of any portfolio. Starting in 2013 the maple leaf now has a new security feature on each 1 oz silver and gold coins. Each coin from 2013 on now bears a visual Security Feature.
History of North America’s Most Popular Gold Coins
Gold Coins Canadian Maple Leaf
From 1967 until the late 1970s, the 22-karat Krugerrand was the only gold bullion coin available to investors. However, due to the anti-apartheid boycott, Krugerrands were made illegal in many countries apartheid ended in 1991. As such, the Canadian government filled the void when it introduced the 24-karat Canadian Maple Leaf Gold coin in 1979. The U.S. government joined a few years later when the passage of the Gold Bullion Coin Act of 1985 authorized the U.S. Mint to strike 22-karat American Eagle Gold bullion coins.
Two Iconic Designs: Maple Leaf & Lady Liberty
The Canadian Maple Leaf was designed by Walter Ott, and its obverse side displays a profile of Queen Elizabeth II as well as the inscription “ELIZABETH II,” the coin’s face value, and the year of minting. The maple leaf, Canada’s official national symbol, adorns the reverse side in addition to inscriptions indicating the coin’s purity and denomination. The Royal Canadian Mint’s reputation for quality is based on the flawless planchets (the blanks from which the coins are minted) that the Mint insists on using for the production of the Maple Leaf Gold Coin.
The American Gold Eagle features designs by both Augustus Saint-Gaudens and Miley Busiek (now Miley Tucker-Frost). Saint-Gaudens’ Lady Liberty, hair flowing, holding a torch in one hand and an olive branch in the other, adorns the obverse side, with “LIBERTY” inscribed across the top as well as the year of minting below. Tucker-Frost’s male and female eagles are featured on the reverse side with the inscriptions “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,” “E PLURIBUS UNUM,” and “IN GOD WE TRUST,” together with the coin’s weight and face value.
Similarities and Differences Between Both Gold Coins
The similarities between the two coins are somewhat limited. Both coins are legal tender produced by government mints in their respective countries, both coins come in special “proof” (limited production coins minted with the highest quality possible) in addition to normal production, and both coins are eligible for placement in gold Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs).
Gold Maple Leaf Price
In addition to being issued in different currencies by different governments in different countries, the coins are also different karats and come in different sizes. The American Eagle is 22-karat gold bullion and therefore is made of 91.67% gold, 3% silver, and 5.33% copper. At 24 karats, the Maple Leaf is .99999 fine, or essentially pure gold. As for sizes, the American Gold Eagle comes in the following sizes:
- 1 troy ounce (US$50.00 face value)
- ½ troy ounce (US$25.00 face value)
- ¼ troy ounce (US$10.00 face value)
- 1/10 troy ounce (US$5.00 face value)
Maple Leaf Gold has similar sizes but one additional smaller size:
- 1 troy ounce (C$50.00 face value)
- ½ troy ounce (C$25.00 face value)
- ¼ troy ounce (C$10.00 face value)
- 1/10 troy ounce (C$5.00 face value)
- 1/20 troy ounce (C$1.00 face value)
The Royal Mint briefly produced a 1/15 troy ounce Gold Maple Leaf Coin in 1994, but this version was not as popular as other sizes and was dropped after one year.
What Investors Need to Know American Eagle and Maple Leaf Coins
The most important thing to know about both these coins is how they are valued. Despite their face values, they actually trade on the value of their constituent metals. As a result, Maple Leaf Gold coin value is determined solely by the gold price, as it is a fine gold coin. The American Eagle Gold coin value, on the other hand, is determined by the spot price of all its precious metals combined, although mostly by the price of gold.
Finally, the Maple Leaf has long been extremely popular with numismatists due to the high quality of the coins. In 2007, the Royal Mint even issued Maple Leaf Gold coins with face values of one million Canadian dollars. The American Eagle was not the most popular gold bullion coin when originally produced, but has gained in popularity over the years. Both coins make excellent investments for any portfolio in need of some true diversification away from stocks and bonds.
How to Buy Gold Coins
The U.S. Mint sells gold coins only to its network of Authorized Purchasers who meet certain strict criteria, who then on-sell the bullion to the wider public. Scottsdale Bullion & Coin is available in the Scottsdale, Arizona area as a U. S. Mint Authorized Purchaser, and is a seller of both American Eagle- and Maple Leaf coins.
The Canadian Gold Maple Leaf is the official bullion gold coin of Canada and is produced by the Royal Canadian Mint. The Gold Maple Leaf is one of the purest gold coins of regular issue in the world, with a gold content of .9999 fineness (24 carats), with some special issues .99999 fine. That is, it contains virtually no other base metals at all, only gold exclusively from gold mines in Canada. We offer Gold Maple Leafs at a low premium over spot price and generally carry them in large quantities.The Gold Maple Leaf is a great addition to any portfolio and a great alternative to the American Gold Eagle or South African Gold Krugerrand.
Canadian Gold Maple Leaf Composition
The Canadian Gold Maple Leaf is considered to be 24-karats and .9999 pure gold. Since the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf is 24-karat gold, it is also a softer coin and is more susceptible to scratching easily. The Canadian Gold Maple Leaf is backed by the Royal Canadian Mint, who carries a lofty reputation concerning their cutting edge minting techniques. They were early adopters and innovators of many popular minting techniques. They also have kept the minting field competitive with innovations such as adding holograms to coins, using two metals to create a bi-metallic design.
Design History of the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf
The Canadian Gold Maple Leaf carries the same design from year to year but add other innovations, such as specific security features. The obverse always depicts an image of Queen Elizabeth. Depending on the year of the coin you may see different images of the Queen, as they have updated the design several times to show a more realistic view of the Queen at her current age. The 1988–1989 shows a 39-year-old Queen while the 1990–2004 a 64-year-old Queen and finally the 2005–present shows the 79 year old Queen.
The reverse was designed by artist Walter Ott and displays a sugar maple leaf, which has been designated the country's national emblem. The reverse also boasts of the coin's .9999 purity, which is something the Royal Canadian Mint is revered for.
Certified Canadian Gold Maple Leafs
When purchasing a Certified Canadian Gold Maple Leaf, there is information provided on the coin holder that is important to know. The first thing to notice is the coin's strike type:
- MS: Short for 'Mint-State;' refers to coins that have never been in circulation and are the same condition as when they were originally produced. Mint State coins will receive a grade ranging from 60-70 on the Sheldon Numeric Scale.
- PF/PR: Abbreviation for 'Proof;' refers to the method of coin manufacture, made for eye appeal among collectors.
- SP: A 'specimen' coin is a combination of strike type (somewhere in the middle of Mint State and Proof).
A Certified Canadian Gold Maple Leaf (or any certified bullion coin) will most likely come in one of two grades:
- MS/PF70: Bullion coins that have kept their original mint luster and contain zero post production flaws.
- MS/PF69: Bullion coins that contain 2 or less minute imperfections but still carry their original mint luster.
Canadian Gold Maple Leaf Composition
The Canadian Gold Maple Leaf is considered to be 24-karats and .9999 pure gold. Since the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf is 24-karat gold, it is also a softer coin and is more susceptible to scratching easily. The Canadian Gold Maple Leaf is backed by the Royal Canadian Mint, who carries a lofty reputation concerning their cutting edge minting techniques. They were early adopters and innovators of many popular minting techniques. They also have kept the minting field competitive with innovations such as adding holograms to coins, using two metals to create a bi-metallic design.
Design History of the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf
The Canadian Gold Maple Leaf carries the same design from year to year but add other innovations, such as specific security features. The obverse always depicts an image of Queen Elizabeth. Depending on the year of the coin you may see different images of the Queen, as they have updated the design several times to show a more realistic view of the Queen at her current age. The 1988–1989 shows a 39-year-old Queen while the 1990–2004 a 64-year-old Queen and finally the 2005–present shows the 79 year old Queen.
The reverse was designed by artist Walter Ott and displays a sugar maple leaf, which has been designated the country's national emblem. The reverse also boasts of the coin's .9999 purity, which is something the Royal Canadian Mint is revered for.
Gold Maple Leaf Emblem
Certified Canadian Gold Maple Leafs
Gold Maple Leaf Dimensions
When purchasing a Certified Canadian Gold Maple Leaf, there is information provided on the coin holder that is important to know. The first thing to notice is the coin's strike type:
- MS: Short for 'Mint-State;' refers to coins that have never been in circulation and are the same condition as when they were originally produced. Mint State coins will receive a grade ranging from 60-70 on the Sheldon Numeric Scale.
- PF/PR: Abbreviation for 'Proof;' refers to the method of coin manufacture, made for eye appeal among collectors.
- SP: A 'specimen' coin is a combination of strike type (somewhere in the middle of Mint State and Proof).
A Certified Canadian Gold Maple Leaf (or any certified bullion coin) will most likely come in one of two grades:
- MS/PF70: Bullion coins that have kept their original mint luster and contain zero post production flaws.
- MS/PF69: Bullion coins that contain 2 or less minute imperfections but still carry their original mint luster.