Maple leaf – gold coins
Number of products: 13Gold Maple Leaf coins are the flagship bullion series of the Royal Canadian Mint, issued since 1979. The first bullion coin in the world to achieve 999.9 fineness (since 1982), secured with Bullion DNA technology and micro-engraving since 2013. Gold bullion is exempt from VAT across the EU under Directive 2006/112/EC. Current prices: precious metals prices.
Maple Leaf — Royal Canadian Mint Heritage
The Gold Maple Leaf was introduced in 1979 as the second bullion coin in history — after the Krugerrand. The Royal Canadian Mint, Canada's state mint founded in 1908, prioritised purity from the outset. By 1982, it raised the fineness to 999.9 — a standard other mints would not adopt for another decade. The reverse features the sugar maple leaf (Acer saccharum) — Canada's national symbol since 1965. The obverse bears the portrait of the reigning monarch (currently King Charles III).
999.9 Fineness and Bullion DNA Technology
The Maple Leaf was the first bullion coin worldwide to achieve 999.9 fineness (four nines, 24 carat) — pure gold with no alloy components. In 2013, the Royal Canadian Mint introduced two groundbreaking security features: a micro-engraved maple leaf mark with a hidden year of issue (visible under magnification) and Bullion DNA technology — a unique digital fingerprint for each coin, verifiable via dedicated scanners. This system makes successful counterfeiting virtually impossible.
VAT Exemption in the European Union
Gold Maple Leaf coins qualify as investment gold under EU Directive 2006/112/EC, making them exempt from VAT throughout the European Union. The buyer pays only for the metal and the producer premium — with no tax burden.
Available Denominations and Technical Specifications
| Denomination | Weight [g] | Diameter [mm] | Thickness [mm] | Face Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 oz | 31.1035 | 30.00 | 2.87 | CA$50 |
| 1/2 oz | 15.5518 | 25.00 | 2.23 | CA$20 |
| 1/4 oz | 7.7759 | 20.00 | 1.78 | CA$10 |
| 1/10 oz | 3.1103 | 16.00 | 1.22 | CA$5 |
| 1/20 oz | 1.5552 | 14.10 | 0.92 | CA$1 |
All denominations are struck in 999.9 fine gold. The 1 oz coin (troy ounce — 31.1035 g) offers the lowest premium per gram of fine gold. The Maple Leaf is one of very few bullion series available in five sizes — from 1/20 oz to the full ounce.
Key Features of the Gold Maple Leaf
- Issuer: Royal Canadian Mint — Canada's state mint (since 1908)
- Fineness: 999.9 — the world's first bullion coin at this standard (since 1982)
- Bullion DNA: unique digital fingerprint, scanner-verifiable (since 2013)
- Micro-engraving: maple leaf mark with hidden year of issue (since 2013)
- Legal status: official legal tender of Canada
- VAT: exempt from VAT across the EU (Directive 2006/112/EC)
- Liquidity: globally recognised — easily tradeable in Europe, North America and Asia
Maple Leaf vs Other Bullion Coins
The Maple Leaf stands out with the highest fineness among standard bullion coins (999.9) and unique Bullion DNA verification technology. Compared to the Krugerrand (fineness 916.7, copper alloy), the Maple Leaf is pure yellow gold with no additives — though more susceptible to physical contact due to the softness of pure metal. The Britannia and Vienna Philharmonic share the same 999.9 fineness but lack comparable digital verification technology.
Why Buy Maple Leaf from GoldInvest24?
GoldInvest24 offers Gold Maple Leaf coins in all five denominations — from 1/20 oz to 1 oz — across multiple vintages. Every coin comes from the Royal Canadian Mint's authorised distribution chain. Explore our other bullion products: gold coins, gold bars, silver coins, silver bars, platinum and palladium.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the gold fineness of the Maple Leaf?
Since 1982, standard Maple Leaf coins have been struck in 999.9 fine gold (four nines, 24 carat). Earlier vintages (1979–1981) were 999 fine. Selected limited editions (since 1999) achieve 999.99 — the highest fineness ever used in bullion coins.
What is Bullion DNA technology?
Bullion DNA is a patented technology from the Royal Canadian Mint, introduced in 2013. Each coin receives a unique digital fingerprint in the form of a micro-engraved maple leaf mark with an encoded year of issue, verifiable via dedicated scanners.
Is the Maple Leaf exempt from VAT?
Yes. Gold Maple Leaf coins qualify as investment gold under EU Directive 2006/112/EC and are exempt from VAT.
What denominations are available?
The Royal Canadian Mint issues the Maple Leaf in five denominations: 1 oz (31.1 g), 1/2 oz (15.55 g), 1/4 oz (7.78 g), 1/10 oz (3.11 g) and 1/20 oz (1.56 g).
How does the Maple Leaf differ from the Krugerrand?
Both coins contain the same amount of fine gold (31.1035 g in the 1 oz version). The Maple Leaf has 999.9 fineness (pure gold), the Krugerrand 916.7 (gold-copper alloy). The Maple Leaf features Bullion DNA verification; the Krugerrand does not.