Considered as the official gold coin of the Dominion of Canada, the Canadian Maple Leaf gold coin is produced exclusively by the Canadian Mint. This coin is considered to be one of the most unadulterated gold coins that are of regular issue in the world. It has a gold content of about .9999, or 24 carats. The coin, according to numismatic experts, virtually contains no base metals, and the gold comes exclusively from Canadian gold mines.
The Canadian Maple Leaf gold coin was first issued in 1979, and was the brainchild of Walter Ott. During that time, the only obtainable coin was the Krugerrand, however, this particular gold coin was not widely circulated, because of the current economic boycott of apartheid in South Africa. The coins that were minted in 1979 and 1981 were known to have a gold content of .999.
These Coins Have Legal Status In Canada
The Canadian maple leaf gold coin have legal tender status in Canada; however the face values of these coins, which range from C$1, C$5, C$10, C$20 and C$50, are usually symbolic, and have a much higher market value. In 1998, these types of coins were also struck in 0.9995 fine platinum, and have the same weight and face value as the gold coins.
Canada Unveils The New Maple Leaf Gold Coin
In 2007, the Canadian Mint unveiled an all-new Maple Leaf Gold Coin, which had a face value of one million dollars, although the gold content was worth around $2 million at that time. The newly released Maple Leaf Gold Coin measured 50 cm in diameter, was 3 cm thick, and weighed 100 kilograms. It also had a purity of 99.999%. This new Canadian Maple Leaf gold coin was designed by the artist Stanley Witten. The coin however was made as a promotional product, which was done to give the mint a more prominent international profile. The 100-kilogram Maple Leaf Gold Coin was designed to promote the mint’s new line of 99.999 percent pure gold coins. After a number of buyers came to express interest in it, the Canadian Mint announced that it would make them as ordered. Several interested buyers came forward to express interest, and the Canadian Mint announced that it would manufacture and sell each Canadian Maple Leaf gold coin from $2.5 million to $3 million. As of May 2007, five orders were already confirmed.
Special Maple Leaf Gold Coins For The Vancouver Olympics
The Royal Canadian Mint and the International Olympic Committee reached an agreement to produce Olympic Gold and Silver Maple Leaf Gold coins, in August 2007. The agreement allowed the Royal Canadian Mint to make bullion coins which featured the emblems of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, as well as the Paralympic Games. The special Olympic issue consisted of two coins, the Canadian Maple Leaf gold coin, as well as the Canadian Silver Maple Leaf Coin. Both coins also feature the date of 2008. The new agreement between the Canadian Mint and the IOC allowed the Canadian Mint to sell Olympic coins through all of its different major lines. These include bullion, numismatics and circulation.
Canadian Maple Leaf as a Financial Investment
The Canadian Maple Leaf gold coin is considered to be a safe investment, since the government guarantees its purity, value and weight. The guarantee means that the gold coins are accepted at central banks all over the world. This also means that the Canadian Maple Leaf gold coin can be converted to cash, no matter where you are in the globe. This also indicates that you can accumulate and include them in your collection as a sound investment. The price of the Maple Leaf gold coin is set by the gold coin’s per ounce value. Extra amounts are also added to offset manufacturing and distribution costs.
Precious metals were always considered to be solid and feasible investments that an individual can make. Gold coins serve as a practical way of offsetting finances, especially during a recession or an uncertain economic climate. For budding coin collectors, the Canadian Maple Leaf Gold Coin would make for a wonderful piece in your collection, and would serve as one great tangible asset, which can be converted to cash quickly whenever you need money.
2007 1oz Canada Royal Mint Gold Maple