Two new commemorative coins pay tribute to the 25th anniversary of the Silver Maple Leaf bullion coin.
Available directly from the Royal Canadian Mint is a 2013 $50 Reverse Proof 5 Ounce Silver Coin for $499.95 and a 2013 $5 Proof 1 Ounce Silver Coin with selective gold plating for $109.95.
Both commemorative coins are in 99.99% pure silver, like the Silver Maple Leaf they celebrate. Their obverses feature Arnold Machin’s effigy of Queen Elizabeth II as she appeared on the first SML in 1988. The two coins diverge from there by size, finish and their unique adaptation of the iconic maple leaf design.
2013 $5 Proof 1 Ounce 25th Anniversary Silver Maple Leaf
Limited to a worldwide mintage of 10,000, the one ounce commemorative coins feature a design by Jean-Louis Sirois.
Shown is a maple leaf with a shadow silhouette in gold-plating.
"The focal point is a slightly off-center, detailed and embossed maple leaf," describes the Royal Canadian Mint website. "This highly polished element is set within a gold-plated, recessed semi-circle that merges, on the image’s left side, with a large shadow outline of the same maple leaf."
Inscriptions surrounding the design include ‘FINE SILVER 1 OZ ARGENT PUR,’ ‘CANADA,’ ‘9999’ and a stylized ’25 years/ans’ celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Silver Maple Leaf.
Inscriptions on the obverse are ‘ELIZABETH II,’ ‘5 DOLLARS’ and ‘2013.’
This commemorative coin has weight of 31.39 grams and a diameter of 38 mm. Additional information and ordering options are found here.
2013 $50 Reverse Proof 5 Ounce 25th Anniversary Silver Maple Leaf
Limited to a worldwide mintage of 2,500, the five ounce commemorative coins were designed by Arnold Nogy. Each features two small sugar maple leaves that overlap the bottom lobes of one large sugar maple leaf.
Inscriptions surrounding the design include ‘CANADA,’ two flanking ‘9999,’ ‘5 OZ’ and the bilingual text ’25th ANNIVERSARY’ and ’25e ANNIVERSAIRE.’
Inscriptions on the obverse are ‘ELIZABETH II,’ ‘1988,’ ‘2013’ and ’50 DOLLARS.’
This commemorative coin has a weight of 157.6 grams and a diameter of 65 mm. Additional information and ordering options are found here.
Silver Maple Leaf bullion coins are sought around the world for their purity, attractive design and relative lower premiums above melt values. Demand for this year’s issue has been exceptionally high, so much so that the Royal Canadian Mint is rationing sales to make sure all of its distributors are served.
