Gold bullion coins have become a staple in modern-day investment portfolios and the Canadian Maple Leaf gold coin is no exception. With over 29 million troy ounces of pure gold sold from its inception through today, the iconic Gold Maple Leaf is arguably one of the world’s most coveted. Aside from exceptional .9999 purity, stunning depictions, and unmatched security features, the coin’s historic debut in the precious metals market is yet another reason for its popularity.
In the 1960s, fears of inflation and mounting pressure on the US dollar threatened the stability of global exchange rates, namely the Bretton Woods system. The root cause? The United States didn’t possess enough gold to support its growing use of paper money through honoring exchangeability.
In a historic move in 1971, President Richard Nixon made a game-changing decision. Unwilling to back the dollar with actual gold, he ended its convertibility, turning it into a fiat currency. This unprecedented shift left investors scrambling for alternatives to safeguard their wealth with limited retail options available.
In response to the devolving situation with the US Dollar and the increased interest in gold bullion as an investment vehicle, the South African government introduced the Krugerrand, the world’s first pure gold bullion investment coin. The move not only propelled homespun South African gold into a thriving export market but also introduced investors to a new way of owning precious metals.
In the mid-1980s however, concerns about South Africa’s apartheid policy led to economic sanctions against the country resulting in a decrease in the Krugerrand’s popularity and availability. Sovereign mints around the world seized the opportunity to introduce gold bullion investment coins of their very own.
As the Krugerrand fell out of favor, the Canadians stepped up. Mining companies lobbied for the production of a private investment coin made from Canada’s abundant gold deposits. Recognizing the intrinsic value in the new-found international gold bullion market and the need for an ethically sound replacement for the Krugerrand, the Canadian government agreed, and in September 1979, the first Canadian Gold Maple Leaf coin was born.
Created by the talented team at the Royal Canadian Mint, the first gold Maple Leaf coins featured .999 purity and showcased exquisite artwork by Walter Ott. The design featured a single maple leaf on the reverse and an elegant portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Arnold Machin on the obverse.
Since its inception, the Gold Maple Leaf coin has continuously evolved to meet the demands of investors. In 1982, smaller versions in ¼ and 1/10th oz were introduced, and in 1986, the ½ oz coin joined the family. Not stopping there, in 1993, an even smaller 1/20th oz version was introduced, making the Gold Maple Leaf coin a versatile choice for any budget. In 1994, the 1/15th oz Maple Leaf made its first and last appearance in the series, lasting only a single production year due to lack of interest.
Setting the standard for purity, the Gold Maple Leaf coin was upgraded in November of 1982 to a .9999 fineness, becoming the purest gold coin in the world. Starting in 2005, surpassing all expectations, the purity was once again increased to a remarkable .99999 fineness for special edition coins.
In 2010, the Royal Canadian Mint added enhanced security features to the coin in an effort to deter counterfeiting. Advancements exclusive to RCM include:
In 2017, the Royal Canadian Mint introduced the 1.5 oz coin as the final denomination in the collection. The 1.5 oz Canadian Gold Maple Leaf, also known as the Monex-trademarked MegaLeaf, which Monex was granted exclusive US distribution, features a distinctly different 3-leaf design, but the same .9999 purity as its predecessors.
The Gold Maple Leaf coin series offers a number of features including enhanced security, a variety of weights and sizes, and unmatched purity. For more information on how to buy Canadian Gold Maple Leafs, contact a Monex account representative at 800-444-8317.
The Royal Canadian Mint’s Commitment to Quality In 1979, the prestigious Royal Canadian Mint began production of the 1 oz. Canadian Maple Leaf gold coin with a consistency of 99.9%. At the time, the only competitive private investment coin in the market was the 91.67% pure gold South African Krugerrand. The increased gold purity consistency more…
The Iconic Maple Leaf Known for its vibrant autumn colors, the maple tree is a prominent species in the eastern Canadian landscape. While the tree itself was an invaluable part of the indigenous Canadians and early settlers’ lifestyle, the Canadian government did not officially adopt the maple leaf as its national symbol until 1965. Today, more…
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