The Canadian Gold Maple Leaf (GML) is a gold bullion coin made by the Royal Canadian Mint and issued by the Government of Canada every year. It first came out in 1979.
The GML is legal money with a face value of 50 Canadian dollars, but its actual market value depends on the price of gold. The coin is famous for its high purity, being 99.99% pure gold, and sometimes even 99.999% pure. The standard coin weighs 1 troy ounce (31.10 grams), but it also comes in smaller sizes like 1 gram, 1⁄25 oz., 1⁄20 oz., 1⁄10 oz., 1⁄4 oz., and 1⁄2 oz.
Design
- Obverse (front): Features the profile of Queen Elizabeth II.
- Reverse (back): Displays a Canadian Maple Leaf.
Security Features
In 2013 and 2015, new security features were added, including a laser-engraved small maple leaf with the coin’s year of issue, visible under magnification, and radial lines on both sides.
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Big Maple Leaf
In 2007, the Royal Canadian Mint introduced a special Gold Maple Leaf coin with a face value of $1 million and a gold value of over $3.5 million. This coin, called the “Big Maple Leaf,” measures 50 cm in diameter, is 3 cm thick, weighs 100 kg, and is 99.999% pure gold. One of these coins was stolen from the Berlin Bode Museum in 2017 and has not been recovered.
Production Issues
Some dealers have reported quality issues with the Gold Maple Leaf coins.
Special Issues
- 999% Pure Coins: Occasionally, special editions are made with 99.999% purity.
- Bimetallic Maple Leaf: In 2004, a special set was created to celebrate 25 years of the coin, featuring six coins with different sizes and a unique design.
- Coloured Coins: In 1999, coloured versions were introduced.
- Hologram Coins: Also in 1999, hologram versions were made.
- Olympic Editions: Coins with the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics emblems were issued.
Specifications
- 1979–1982:
- Sizes: 1 oz.
- Purity: 99.9%
- 1982–present:
- Sizes: 1 oz., 1⁄2 oz., 1⁄4 oz., 1⁄10 oz., 1⁄20 oz., 1 gram
- Purity: 99.99%
- Special Editions:
- Size: 1 oz.
- Purity: 99.999%
Collectible Versions
The Royal Canadian Mint has released various special and collectible editions of the GML over the years to mark significant anniversaries or events.
Counterfeiting
To combat counterfeit coins, the Royal Canadian Mint has introduced advanced security features over the years.
Conclusion
The Canadian Gold Maple Leaf is a renowned gold bullion coin produced by the Royal Canadian Mint. Introduced in 1979, it is among the purest bullion coins available, with a standard purity of 99.99%, and special editions reaching 99.999% purity. The coin features the profile of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse and the iconic Canadian Maple Leaf on the reverse. It is legal tender in Canada with various denominations and sizes, making it a popular choice for investors and collectors alike. Over the years, the Gold Maple Leaf has included advanced security features, such as laser-engraved marks and radial lines, to ensure its authenticity. The coin’s significance and value have grown, with special editions and commemorative versions adding to its allure in the bullion market.