Silver Coins | The Canadian Maple Leaf

Canada as a parliamentary monarchy firstly minted 1 ounce coins of pure silver (99,99%) in 1988. The annual unvarying motive of the Canadian sugar maple leaf is identical to the gold, platinum and paladium version.
On the backside of the ounce one can discover the portrait of the English Queen Elisabeth II, which actually remains unchanged, even though it is modified every couple of years, and adapted to the real outward appearance of the Queen.
The portrait changes took place in the years 1988, 1990 and 2005 and show the Queen at the age of 39, 64 and 79.
Because of the fact that two languages are officially spoken in Canada, the numismatic dates on every coin are both minted in English and French language.
The Royal Canadian Mint adapts the number of copies to the actual demand.

The first edition of the Maple leaf (from 1988) was minted more than 1,1 million times.

In the subsequent years the number of copies ranged between 300.000 and 3.3 million copies.

In 1998, a 10 ounces silver coin (dimensions: 65,0x 11mm) with a nominal value of 50 Canadian dollars (CAD) was uniquely minted.
In Canada the silver ounce is an official means of payment, however, the material value is higher than the minted nominal value.
At first the ounces were prepacked in boxes, containing 10 ounces each box, but in 2005 this changed and the Mints started to wrap the ounces in plastic boxes, containing 20 ounces each box.
Exclusive coinings or lunar versions receive the Maples as little by- stamps.  

Also read about other silver coins: American Silver Eagle , Australian Kookaburra , Chinese Panda