Canadian Elizabeth II Maple Leaf 1oz Fine Silver Bullion Coin
Coin/Bullion · Royal Canadian Mint (RCM), founded in 1908. A Crown corporation known for producing some of the world's highest purity bullion and the first mint to produce 999.9 gold and silver.
Pattern: Canadian Silver Maple Leaf Series, featuring the Susanna Blunt effigy of Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse.
Type
Coin/Bullion
Maker
Royal Canadian Mint (RCM), founded in 1908. A Crown corporation known for producing some of the world's highest purity bullion and the first mint to produce 999.9 gold and silver.
Material
0.9999 Fine Silver (Four-Nines Fine). Contains 1 troy ounce of pure silver. This is one of the highest purity silver coins in standard mass production.
Dimensions
Diameter: 38 mm; Thickness: 3.29 mm; Weight: 31.103 grams (1 troy ounce). Significant for its standardized size in global trade.
Description
This iconic silver bullion coin represents the pinnacle of Canadian numismatic engineering. The obverse features the mature portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, appearing without a crown as is traditional for the Susanna Blunt design. The surface exhibits a distinct 'rainbow' prismatic tarnish, likely due to environmental exposure to sulfur, which adds a unique aesthetic character often sought by 'toner' coin collectors.
Key Features
0.9999 purity (higher than sterling or US silver), laser-engraved security privy mark, radial line background for faking prevention, and world-recognized 5 CAD legal tender status.
Material & Composition
0.9999 Fine Silver (Four-Nines Fine). Contains 1 troy ounce of pure silver. This is one of the highest purity silver coins in standard mass production.
Finish & Decoration
Bullion finish with radial lines (post-2014) or satin field. Features the Susanna Blunt effigy of Queen Elizabeth II in profile. Decorative elements include a beaded circular border and a secondary 'mint mark' security micro-engraving.
Hallmarks & Stamps
Obverse stamped: 'ELIZABETH II', 'D. G. REGINA' (Dei Gratia Regina - By the Grace of God, Queen). Includes the RCM maple leaf security privy mark below the bust. Reverse (implied) would state 'FINE SILVER 1 OZ ARGENT PUR' and '.9999'.
Construction Details
Industrial die-struck/minted using high-pressure hydraulic presses. Formed from silver 'blanks' or 'planchets' with a reeded edge to prevent clipping or counterfeiting.
Functional Features
Legal tender with a face value of 5 Canadian Dollars. Includes light-diffracting radial lines as a security feature and a laser-micro-engraved maple leaf privy mark containing the year of production.
Handle & Grip Details
Reeded (milled) edge for tactile grip and security; the edge contains fine vertical grooves. No external handles or grips.
Craftsmanship Details
Precision machine-struck quality. The micro-engraving is only possible through advanced laser technology, making it one of the most difficult silver items in the world to successfully counterfeit.
Authentication Indicators
Characteristic Susanna Blunt design, official RCM maple leaf security stamp, standard reeded edge, and thickness/diameter ratio consistent with high-density fine silver.
Origin & Manufacturing
Ottawa, Ontario or Winnipeg, Manitoba; Canada. Produced by the Royal Canadian Mint, a world leader in precious metal refining.
Era & Period
Modern Bullion Era (Late 20th – Early 21st Century). This specific effigy is the Susanna Blunt design adopted in 2003.
Age Estimate
Circa 2014-2023. The presence of the micro-engraved maple leaf privy mark and the Susanna Blunt portrait suggests a more recent production date within this window.
Cultural Significance
Symbolizes the Canadian monarchy and the nation's vast natural mineral wealth. It bridges the gap between official currency and investment-grade precious metal.
Condition Notes
Good to Very Good (Bullion Grade). The coin shows significant iridescent toning/tarnish and minor surface contact marks ('bag marks'). The structural integrity is perfect, with no signs of wear that would impact its silver value.
Value Estimate
$25.00 - $35.00 USD. Value fluctuates daily based on the COMEX silver 'spot' price, plus a small 'premium' for the RCM minting and current demand.
Care & Maintenance
Store in a PVC-free airtight coin capsule to prevent further oxidation. Do not clean or polish with abrasives, as this destroys 'numismatic' value. To remove light fingerprints, use distilled water and a lint-free cloth, but generally, bullion should be left as-is.
Similar Pieces
American Silver Eagle (99.9% fine), Austrian Silver Philharmonic (99.9% fine), Australian Silver Kangaroo (99.99% fine). The Canadian coin is distinguished by its higher purity than the US Eagle.
Interesting Facts
The Silver Maple Leaf was the first silver bullion coin to achieve 99.99% purity. It has been used in several 'world records' for purity and remains one of the most traded silver coins globally.