Canadian Silver Maple Leaf
The Mint began to produce Silver Maple Leaf coins in 1988, 9 years after the first Maple Leaf gold ones. Silver Maple Leaf bullion coins were made in various sizes and weights, but the composition is the same for all of them. They are collectibles, but also categorized as an investment tool.
Design
Often compared with the American Silver Eagle, first struck in 1986, they are called Maple Leaf coins because of the design on the reverse of the original coins struck. This design was created by Walter Ott, an employee of the Mint.
The obverse of Queen Elizabeth II changed through the years:
- 1988 and 1989: Arnolad Machin
- 1989 to 2003: Dora de Pédery Hunt
- 2004 to 2015: Susanna Blunt and Susan Taylor
Furthermore, some changes were made on the reverse several times. In 1999 and 2000, fireworks in an oval were added as privy mark. In 2000, for the millennium, the date was also added in the oval. Starting in 2013, a small maple leaf used as a security feature appeared on the coin to prevent fraud and counterfeit. Another security addition was made next year (2014). The finish changed from brilliant relief against a parallel lined background to a radial lined background.
Weights and denominations
1 oz Maple Leaf - 5 dollars
Current bullion value: $37.44
- Fineness: 99.99% (0.9999)
- Weight: 31.1035 grams
- Diameter: 38 mm
- Thickness: 3.15 mm
- Die axis: ↑↑
- Edge: Reeded
½ oz Maple Leaf - 4 dollars
Current bullion value: $18.72
- Fineness: 99.99% (0.9999)
- Weight: 15.552 grams
- Diameter: 34 mm
- Thickness: 2.1 mm
- Die axis: ↑↑
- Edge: Reeded
¼ oz Maple Leaf - 3 dollars
Current bullion value: $9.36
- Fineness: 99.99% (0.9999)
- Weight: 7.776 grams
- Diameter: 27 mm
- Thickness: 1.8 mm
- Die axis: ↑↑
- Edge: Reeded
1/10 oz Maple Leaf - 2 dollars
Current bullion value: $3.74
- Fineness: 99.99% (0.9999)
- Weight: 3.11 grams
- Diameter: 20 mm
- Thickness: 1.3 mm
- Die axis: ↑↑
- Edge: Reeded
1/20 oz Maple Leaf - 1 dollar
Current bullion value: $1.87
- Fineness: 99.99% (0.9999)
- Weight: 1.555 grams
- Diameter: 16 mm
- Thickness: 1.1 mm
- Die axis: ↑↑
- Edge: Reeded
Price guide and values
Despite the bullion value (see above), most of the Silver Maple Leaf coins always sell for a bit more than these prices. Lower mintage ones and special edition might be more expensive. Here are a list of them from 1988 to 2015. Most recent and more special design ones will be added soon. Certified examples get a premium in very high grade.
| Date | Denomination | Quantity | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | 1 oz | 1,062,000 | $42.00 |
| 1989 | 1 oz | 3,332,200 | $42.00 |
| 1989 Proof 10th Anniversary | 1 oz | 29,999 | $102.00 |
| 1990 | 1 oz | 4,708,800 | $42.00 |
| 1991 | 1 oz | 644,300 | $42.00 |
| 1992 | 1 oz | 343,800 | $47.00 |
| 1993 | 1 oz | 889,946 | $42.00 |
| 1994 | 1 oz | 1,133,900 | $47.00 |
| 1995 | 1 oz | 326,244 | $47.00 |
| 1996 | 1 oz | 250,445 | $62.00 |
| 1997 | 1 oz | 100,970 | $62.00 |
| 1998 | 1 oz | 591,359 | $42.00 |
| 1999 | 1 oz | 1,229,442 | $42.00 |
| 1999 Fireworks | 1 oz | n/a | $42.00 |
| 2000 | 1 oz | 403,652 | $42.00 |
| 2001 | 1 oz | 398,563 | $42.00 |
| 2002 | 1 oz | 576,196 | $42.00 |
| 2003 | 1 oz | 684,750 | $42.00 |
| 2004 | 1 oz | 680,925 | $42.00 |
| 2005 | 1 oz | 955,694 | $42.00 |
| 2006 | 1 oz | 2,464,727 | $42.00 |
| 2007 | 1 oz | 3,526,052 | $42.00 |
| 2008 | 1 oz | 7,909,161 | $42.00 |
| 2008 20th Anniversary | 1 oz | 9,998 | $102.00 |
| 2009 | 1 oz | 9,727,592 | $42.00 |
| 2010 | 1 oz | 17,799,992 | $42.00 |
| 2011 | 1 oz | 23,129,966 | $42.00 |
| 2012 | 1 oz | 18,132,297 | $42.00 |
| 2013 | 1 oz | 28,222,061 | $42.00 |
| 2013 Security | 1 oz | n/a | $42.00 |
| 2014 | 1 oz | n/a | $42.00 |
| 2014 Radial Lines | 1 oz | n/a | $42.00 |
| 2014 Proof | 1 oz | n/a | $82.00 |
| 2015 | 1 oz | n/a | $42.00 |
