SILVER CANADIAN MAPLE LEAF

The Canadian Silver Maple Leaf is a silver bullion coin issued annually by the government of Canada. The coin has been minted by the Royal Canadian Mint (R.C.M.) since 1988.

The face value of the 1 oz coin is 5 Canadian dollars, and the purity of the coin is 99.99% silver.

The obverse features the profile of Queen Elizabeth II, with three different versions, a young head version, an old head version, and an older head version. The year of issue and the face value of 5 dollars is also displayed on this side.

The reverse of the coin depicts a maple leaf. On some variations there are also a small privy mark on the lower half of the coin or color modification to the leaf. The one universal element on all silver maple leaf coins is the phrase “Fine Silver 1 oz Argent Pur” along the bottom of the reverse of the coin.

Annual variations for the coin in past have included proof releases in 1989, privy marks, a colored maple leaf that is slightly different from the standard leaf, holographic enhancements and several differing designs, including a 2009 commemorative issue for the 2010 Winter Olympics.

The 1988 5 dollar Canadian silver coin differs from its Canadian Gold and Platinum Maple Leaf counterparts in that collector demand generates prices well above and beyond bullion value. In particular, the 1996 and 1997 versions fetched very high prices due to limited mint numbers.