The Canadian Silver Maple Leaf is a silver bullion coin issued annually by the government of Canada. The coin has been minted by the Royal Canadian Mint (R.C.M.) since 1988.
The face value of the 1 oz coin is 5 Canadian dollars, the highest among international silver bullion coins. During 2008, the market value of the coin was approximately 20 Canadian dollars. The market value in 2011 was above 30 Canadian dollars. The purity of the coin is 99.99% silver, also the highest among other bullion issues which have a 99.9% standard.
A common blemish that many Canadian Silver Maple Leaves carry is the "Milk Spot." It is a baked-in blemish that has a milky white appearance. This happens when a cleaning detergent is left on the coin when the coin goes into the annealing furnace. The detergent gets baked into the coin itself and leaves a spot that cannot be removed easily.[1]
The coin always features a maple leaf and generally consists of 1 troy ounce (31.1 g) of silver. Annual variations for the coin in past have included proof releases (1989 only), privy marks, a coloured maple leaf (with a design different from the regular maple leaf), holographic enhancements and several differing designs, such as a 2009 issue commemorating the 2010 Winter Olympics.
The one universal element in all silver maple leaf coins is the phrase "Fine Silver 1 oz Argent Pur" along the bottom of the reverse of the coin.
Several notable issues have been released over the life of the series. A single-issue 10 oz version was produced in 1998 to mark the 10th anniversary of the coin series. In 1999, many but not all Silver Maple Leaf coins that were issued came with a privy mark to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of the RCM Maple Leaf Program. The following year, the coins featured a Privy Mark with Fireworks and the number 2000. Another Silver Maple Leaf was issued to commemorate the Millennium. The coins were double dated 1999 and 2000.[2]
Silver Maple Leafs differ from their Canadian Gold and Platinum Maple Leaf counterparts in that collector demand generates prices well above and beyond bullion value. In particular, the 1996 and 1997 versions fetched very high prices due to limited mintages (for example, in 1997 just under 101,000 Maple Leafs were minted, in comparison with more than 1.2 million minted in 1999 and the record 17.8 million minted for 2010).[2]
Some of the privy marked Maple Leafs were available only in Europe.[citation needed] In 2005, the Liberation of the Netherlands triple privy silver Maple Leaf, the rarest of all the silver Maple Leaf coins was struck by the Royal Canadian Mint for the Royal Dutch Mint. The first coin produced by the facility, graded SP70 on the Sheldon scale, was to be presented to Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. For the first time in 2009, the Silver Maple Leaf coins were not packaged in Mylar by the Royal Canadian Mint. Due to the high demand, the Silver Maple Leaf was packaged in tubes of 25.[3]
Obverse: The profile of Queen Elizabeth II. There are three different versions, a young head version, an old head version, and an older head version. The year of issue and the face value of 5 dollars is also displayed on this side.
Reverse: Picture of a maple leaf. On some variations there are also a small privy mark on the lower half of the coin or colour enhancement.
Bulk Uncirculated Bullion Coins [edit]
Silver Maple Leaf [edit]
| Year |
Mintage |
| 1988 |
1,062,000 |
| 1989 |
3,332,200 |
| 1990 |
1,708,800 |
| 1991 |
644,300 |
| 1992 |
343,800 |
| 1993 |
1,133,900 |
| 1994 |
889,946 |
| 1995 |
326,244 |
| 1996 |
250,445 |
| 1997 |
100,970 |
| 1998 |
591,359 |
| 1999 |
1,229,442 |
| 1999-2000 dual date |
300,000 |
| 2000 |
403,652 |
| 2001 |
398,563 |
| 2002 |
576,196 |
| 2003 |
684,750 |
| 2004 |
680,925 |
| 2005 |
955,694 |
| 2006 |
2,464,727[4] |
| 2007 |
3,526,052[5] |
| 2008 |
7,909,161[6] |
| 2009 |
9,727,592[7] |
| 2010 |
17,799,992[8] |
| 2011 |
23,129,966[9] |
| 2012 |
18,132,297 |
Special Edition Coins [edit]
Silver Maple Leaf [edit]
Coloured Silver Maple Leaf [edit]
| Year |
Description |
Artist |
Mintage |
Issue Price |
| 2001 |
Autumn (Autumn Red) [10] |
Debbie Adams |
49,709 |
$34.95 |
| 2002 |
Spring (Summer Green) [10] |
N/A |
29,509 |
$34.95 |
| 2003 |
Summer (Sugar Maple) [10] |
Stan Witten |
29,416 |
$34.95 |
| 2004 |
Winter (Red Maple) [10] |
Stan Witten |
26,848 |
$39.95 |
| 2005 |
Bigleaf Maple |
Stan Witten |
27,000 |
$39.95 |
| 2006 |
Silver Maple |
Stan Witten |
20,000 |
$45.95 |
| 2007 |
Sugar Maple |
Stan Witten |
20,000 |
$49.95 |
Hologram Silver Maple Leaf [edit]
| Year |
Theme |
Artist |
Mintage |
Issue Price |
| 2001 |
Maple of Good Fortune [11] |
N/A |
29,817 |
$59.99 |
| 2003 |
15th Anniversary of the Silver Maple Leaf |
RCM Staff |
28,947 |
$149.95 |
5 Coin Set – 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/10 oz, 1/20 oz |
| 2003 |
Maple of Good Fortune [11] |
N/A |
29,731 |
$39.99 |
| 2005 |
Maple of Hope [11] |
Toan Nguyen |
19,888 |
$39.95 |
Olympic Maple Leaf [edit]
| Year |
Theme |
Mintage |
| 2008 |
Inukshuk |
937,839 |
| 2009 |
Thunderbird |
569,048 |
| 2010 |
Ice Hockey |
79,278 |
Privy Mark Silver Maple Leaf [edit]
| Year |
Privy Mark |
Artist |
Mintage |
Issue Price |
Special Notes |
| 1998 |
90th Anniversary of the RCM [12] |
Walter Ott, RCM Engravers |
13,025 |
N/A |
Sold by RCM |
| 1998 |
RCMP [12] |
Walter Ott, RCM Engravers |
25,000 |
N/A |
Made for Canada Post to Commemorate the Royal Canadian Mounted Police |
| 1998 |
Year of the Tiger [12] |
Walter Ott, RCM Engravers |
25,000 |
N/A |
1st coin in Chinese Zodiac series |
| 1998 |
Titanic [12] |
Walter Ott, RCM Engravers |
26,000 |
$29.95 |
Made for Dillon Gage |
| 1999 |
Year of the Rabbit [12] |
Walter Ott, RCM Engravers |
25,000 |
N/A |
2nd coin in Chinese Zodiac series |
| 1999 - 2000 |
Fireworks |
N/A |
298,775 |
N/A |
Dual Dated |
| 2000 |
Fireworks |
N/A |
403,652 |
N/A |
|
| 2000 |
Expo Hanover [12] |
Walter Ott, RCM Engravers |
15,000 |
N/A |
Only released in Europe |
| 2000 |
Year of the Dragon [12] |
Walter Ott, RCM Engravers |
25,000 |
N/A |
3rd coin in Chinese Zodiac series |
| 2001 |
Year of the Snake [12] |
Walter Ott, RCM Engravers |
25,000 |
N/A |
4th coin in Chinese Zodiac series |
| 2002 |
Year of the Horse [12] |
Walter Ott, RCM Engravers |
25,000 |
N/A |
5th coin in Chinese Zodiac series |
| 2003 |
Year of the Goat [12] |
Walter Ott, RCM Engravers |
25,000 |
N/A |
6th coin in Chinese Zodiac series |
| 2004 |
Alphonse Desjardins [12] |
Walter Ott, RCM Engravers |
15,000 |
$39.95 |
Sold by La Caisse Desjardins |
| 2004 |
D-Day [12] |
Walter Ott, RCM Engravers |
12,485 |
$39.95 |
Included Certificate of Authenticity |
| 2004 |
Year of the Monkey [12] |
Walter Ott, RCM Engravers |
25,000 |
N/A |
7th coin in Chinese Zodiac series |
| 2005 |
Dutch Tulip |
Walter Ott, RCM Engravers |
3,500 |
$45.95 Euros |
Made for Royal Dutch Mint to Commemorate the Liberation of the Netherlands |
| 2005 |
Victory in Europe |
Walter Ott, RCM Engravers |
7,000 |
$39.95 |
Sold in US by Jerry Morgan |
| 2005 |
Victory in Japan |
Walter Ott, RCM Engravers |
7,000 |
$39.95 |
Sold in US by Jerry Morgan |
| 2005 |
Year of the Rooster [12] |
Walter Ott, RCM Engravers |
15,000 |
N/A |
8th coin in Chinese Zodiac series |
| 2006 |
Year of the Dog |
Walter Ott, RCM Engravers |
10,000 |
N/A |
9th coin in Chinese Zodiac series |
| 2007 |
Year of the Pig |
Walter Ott, RCM Engravers |
8,000 |
N/A |
10th coin in Chinese Zodiac series |
| 2007 |
F12 |
N/A |
5,000 |
N/A |
Fabulous 12 |
| 2008 |
F12 |
N/A |
5,000 |
N/A |
Fabulous 12 |
| 2008 |
Year of the Rat |
N/A |
8,000 |
N/A |
11th coin in Chinese Zodiac series |
| 2009 |
Year of the Ox |
N/A |
8,000 |
N/A |
12th coin in Chinese Zodiac series |
| 2009 |
F12 |
N/A |
5,000 |
N/A |
Fabulous 12 |
| 2009 |
London's Tower Bridge |
N/A |
75,000 |
N/A |
released by www.CoinInvestDirect.com in Europe only |
| 2009 |
Brandenburg Gate |
N/A |
50,000 |
N/A |
released by www.CoinInvestDirect.com in Europe only |
| 2010 |
F15 |
N/A |
5,000 |
N/A |
Fabulous 15 |
| 2011 |
F15 |
N/A |
5,000 |
N/A |
Fabulous 15 |
| 2012 |
Leaning Tower of Pisa |
N/A |
50,000 |
N/A |
released by www.CoinInvestDirect.com in Europe only |
| 2012 |
F15 |
N/A |
10,000 |
N/A |
Fabulous 15 |
| 2012 |
Titanic |
N/A |
25,000 |
N/A |
released by APMEX.com |
| 2012 |
Dragon |
N/A |
25,000 |
N/A |
released by APMEX.com |
Privy Mark Sets [edit]
| Year |
Description |
Artist |
Mintage |
Issue Price |
Description |
| 2004 |
Privy Mark Set |
RCM Staff |
13,859 |
$99.95 |
5 Coin Set – 1 oz, ½ oz, ¼ oz, 1/10 oz, 1/20 oz |
| 2004 |
Zodiac Set |
RCM Staff |
5,000 |
$368.88 |
12 coin set - each coin in the set carries one of the twelve signs of the Zodiac. Commissioned by Universal Coins from Ottawa,Canada. |
Anniversary Maple Leafs [edit]
| Year |
Description |
Artist |
Mintage |
Issue Price |
Description |
| 1998 |
10th Anniversary, Silver Maple Leaf |
Royal Canadian Mint Engravers |
13,533 |
$200.00 |
10 ounce coin |
| 2003 |
15th Anniversary, Silver Maple Leaf |
Royal Canadian Mint Engravers |
28,947 |
$149.95 |
5 Coin Set – 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/10 oz, 1/20 oz; hologram design on reverse |
| 2008 |
20th Anniversary, Silver Maple Leaf |
Royal Canadian Mint Engravers |
10,000 |
$74.95 |
Features a gold plated Maple Leaf |
| 2013 |
25th Anniversary, Silver Maple Leaf |
Arnold Nogy (reverse), Susanna Blunt (obverse) |
9,999 |
$199.95 |
5 Coin Set – 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/10 oz, 1/20 oz |
Silver Maple Leaf Special Issues [edit]
| Year |
Description |
Artist |
Mintage |
Issue Price |
Description |
| 2004 |
Arctic Foxes |
Claude D'Angelo |
13,694 |
$89.95 |
4 Coin Set – 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/10 oz |
| 2005 |
Lynx |
Michael Dumas |
7,942 |
$89.95 |
4 Coin Set – 1 oz, 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/10 oz |
Canadian Wildlife Series [edit]
| Year |
Description |
Artist |
Mintage |
Issue Price |
Description |
| 2011 |
Silver Timber Wolf |
William Woodruff |
1,000,000 |
Bullion value |
1 oz coin |
| 2011 |
Silver Grizzly |
William Woodruff |
1,000,000 |
Bullion value |
1 oz coin |
| 2012 |
Silver Cougar |
William Woodruff |
1,000,000 |
Bullion value |
1 oz coin |
| 2012 |
Silver Moose |
William Woodruff |
1,000,000 |
Bullion value |
1 oz coin |
| 2013 |
Silver Pronghorn Antelope |
Emily S. Damstra |
1,000,000 |
Bullion value |
1 oz coin |
| 2013 |
Silver Wood Bison |
Emily S. Damstra |
1,000,000 |
Bullion value |
1 oz coin |
Other Silver Maple Leaf Coins [edit]
| Year |
Description |
Artist |
Mintage |
Issue Price |
Description |
| 2002 |
15th Anniversary of the One Dollar Loon |
Royal Canadian Mint Staff |
29,970 |
$39.95 |
$5 Loon |
| 2004 |
Sambro Island Lighthouse |
Hedly Doty and William Woodruff |
18,476 |
$69.95 |
1 oz coin |
| 2005 |
Toronto Island Lighthouse |
Brian Hughes and William Woodruff |
13,812 |
$69.95 |
N/A |
| 2006 |
Silver Timber Wolf |
William Woodruff |
106,800 |
Bullion value |
½ oz coin |
| 2010 |
Silver Piedfort |
Royal Canadian Mint Engravers |
9,000 |
$79.99 |
1 oz coin |
| 2013 |
Silver Polar Bear |
|
|
Bullion value |
1½ oz coin |
There are also special edition R.C.M. coins called the 'Maple Leaf Forever' series, with there being three maple leaf symbols on the reverse. The mint has minted 100,000 of this design in 1/2 oz .9999 fine silver coins and 200 strikes of the same design in a large 60mm diameter .9999 fine gold coin. Many other Royal Canadian Mint coins feature maple leaf symbols, such as the $20 for $20 series, the 'Piedfort Maple' series, the 5 oz silver 25th anniversary coins, 1 oz silver 25th anniversary coins with gold guild clad (an identical coin is minted in 1 oz of .9995 fine platinum) and fractional 25th anniversary coins in silver and gold.
See also [edit]
References [edit]
- ^ http://www.goldismoney2.com/showthread.php?2709-Royal-Canadian-Mint-s-official-position-on-quot-milk-spots-quot-on-silver-Maple-Leaf-coins
- ^ a b Charlton Standard of Canadian Coins, 60th Edition, p.434, W.K. Cross, ISBN 0-88968-297-6
- ^ Canadian Coin News, Volume 47, Number 12, p. 1, Sept 29 to October 12, 2009
- ^ Royal Canadian Mint 2006 Annual Report page 45
- ^ Royal Canadian Mint 2007 Annual Report page 49
- ^ Royal Canadian Mint 2008 Annual Report page 56
- ^ Royal Canadian Mint 2009 Annual Report page 53
- ^ Royal Canadian Mint 2010 Annual Report page 84
- ^ Royal Canadian Mint 2011 Annual Report page 111
- ^ a b c d Charlton Standard of Canadian Coins, 60th Edition, p.454, W.K. Cross, ISBN 0-88968-297-6
- ^ a b c Charlton Standard of Canadian Coins, 60th Edition, p.455, W.K. Cross, ISBN 0-88968-297-6
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Charlton Standard Catalogue of Canadian Coins, 60th Edition, p. 451, W.K. Cross, ISBN 0-88968-297-6
External links [edit]
