Canadian Maple Leafs

The Royal Canadian Mint introduced the 1-ounce gold maple leaf coin in 1979. Four years later, in 1983, the Mint raised the bar by lifting the Maple Leaf's gold purity standard to 99.99%. This coin made history as the first bullion coin to be struck from 99.99% pure gold. The Canadian Maple Leaf Bullion coins remain among the purest in the world. Coins minted between 1979 and 1982 have a fineness of .999.

All of the Maple Leaf bullion coins feature the same design. The national symbol of Canada, the maple leaf, is seen, as above, on the reverse of the coin, while the obverse depicts a profile of Queen Elizabeth II.

In 2013, the maple leaf coins' surface texture has been enhanced for security and anti-counterfeiting purposes, but the coin's actual design has not change since the series began with one interesting exception. As shown below, the only change to the overall design is Her Majesty’s profile as she has aged. There was actually an earlier portrait from 1953 to 1964, but that predated the maples. From 1988 to 89, the Queen was shown as she was at 39; from 1990 to 2004 the coin displayed her at 64 and from 2005 to date, is her as she was at 79 years old.

The Queen's passing in December of 2022 has changed slightly the obverse of the maples, with the 70 years of her reign indicated; 1952-2022. King Charles will be crowned in July of 2023 and historically the coin images change up to 3 years following the date of coronation.

Queen Elizabeth Portrait evolution