Canadian Platinum Maple

Canadian Maple Leaf Platinum Coins at Provident Metals

The Canadian Maple Leaf Bullion Series from the Royal Canadian Mint is a true global trendsetter in the precious metals market. The 1979 debut of the gold coins in this series marked the first issue of a gold bullion coin to challenge the South African Krugerrand. The 1988 debut of the silver and platinum coins introduced both the first-ever .9999 pure silver coin, and what would become the first widely available platinum bullion coin.

History of the Canadian Maple Leaf Platinum Coin

When the Canadian Maple Leaf Platinum Coin was introduced in 1988, it was the second major platinum bullion coin behind only the Australian Platypus introduced a year earlier in 1987. However, the Canadian Maple Leaf would go on to enjoy much higher mintages and a greater global audience.

The Platinum Maple Leaf coin was first offered for sale by the Royal Canadian Mint on November 17, 1988. The initial series of Canadian Platinum Maple Leaf coins featured four different denominations in the first two years, consisting of 1 oz, ½ oz, ¼ oz, and 1/10 oz coins. In 1993, a 1/20 oz coin was introduced, and in 1994, a one-time release of a 1/15 oz coin was made.

From 1988 to 2002, the Royal Canadian Mint issued the Canadian Platinum Maple Leaf coins annually. However, rising platinum prices driven by increased demand in various industries, including healthcare and automotive, led to a cooling of demand for platinum coins in the early 21st century. Consequently, the Royal Canadian Mint discontinued the collection in 2003 and did not produce another Platinum Maple Leaf until 2009. Presently, in response to growing demand and platinum scarcity, the Canadian Platinum Maple Leaf is only available as a 1 oz coin and remains in production.

Design of the Canadian Maple Leaf Platinum Coin

The Canadian Maple Leaf Bullion Series is one of the few collections in the world to feature a standardized, static design on both sides over the course of its history. All coins in the collection, including the Canadian Maple Leaf Platinum Coin, come with the 1979 depiction of the sugar maple leaf as created by Walter Ott on the reverse.

For the obverse of the Canadian Maple Leaf Platinum Coin, the coins always feature a bust of the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom. However, this is where the program has shown some variation in design as the portraits of the monarchs change with time:

• 1988-1989: Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II features on the obverse in right-profile relief in the second-generation effigy during her reign. This was the last image of the Queen not created by a Canadian artist for RCM coinage.
• 1990-2002: This third-generation bust of Her Majesty was the first created by a Canadian artist. Dora de Pedery-Hunt designed this right-profile relief in 1990.
• 2003-2023: Susanna Blunt created the fourth-generation bust of Her Majesty. This is the second portrait from a Canadian artist and was featured until the 2023 following the Queen’s passing in September 2022.
• 2024 – Present: For the first time in the series, someone other than Queen Elizabeth II is featured. This effigy of King Charles III was created by Steven Rosati.

Invest in Canadian Maple Leaf Platinum Coins with Provident Metals

Provident Metals’ customer service is available to assist you with questions at 800-313-3315. Our team is also available to you online through our web chat and email address features.