Canadian Gold Maple Leaf

1979-Present • Canada • $50 CAD

About This Coin

The Canadian Gold Maple Leaf is one of the purest gold bullion coins in the world at 99.99% gold. It features Queen Elizabeth II (or King Charles III) on the obverse and the iconic maple leaf on the reverse.

Specifications

Composition

99.99% pure gold (24 karat)

Weight

31.103 grams (1 troy ounce)

Diameter

30 mm

Edge

Reeded

Designer

Royal Canadian Mint staff

Mintage

Varies by year (millions produced)

Estimated Values by Condition

Condition	Estimated Value
Poor (P)	Gold spot price
Good (G)	Gold spot + 2-4%
Fine (F)	Gold spot + 3-5%
Very Fine (VF)	Gold spot + 4-6%
Extremely Fine (EF/XF)	Gold spot + 5-8%
Uncirculated (MS)	Gold spot + 8-12%

* Values are estimates based on market data and may vary significantly based on specific condition, mint mark, and market demand.

Identification Tips

The coin weighs exactly 31.103 grams. Look for security features including radial lines (added 2015), micro-engraved maple leaf with laser-etched privy mark showing last two digits of year. The purity is stamped as "9999". Check for the face value of $50 CAD.

Historical Context

Introduced by the Royal Canadian Mint in 1979, the Gold Maple Leaf was created to compete with the Krugerrand and other gold bullion coins. It pioneered the .9999 purity standard and has become one of the world's most trusted gold bullion coins. Advanced security features were added in 2013-2015 to combat counterfeiting.

Notable Varieties

1/20 oz
1/10 oz
1/4 oz
1/2 oz
1 oz (standard)

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Gold Maple Leaf purer than other gold coins?

Yes! The Gold Maple Leaf is 99.99% pure gold (24 karat), making it purer than the Krugerrand or American Gold Eagle which are 22 karat (91.67% gold). Some special editions are even 99.999% pure.

What are the security features on modern Gold Maple Leafs?

Coins from 2013+ have radial lines that are difficult to replicate. 2015+ have a micro-engraved maple leaf with a laser-etched privy mark showing the year. These features make counterfeiting extremely difficult.