Published 2 June 2026
What a Gold Maple Leaf is
The Gold Maple Leaf is the Royal Canadian Mint flagship bullion coin, first struck in 1979. It was the first widely traded 24 carat bullion coin on the market. From 1982 the purity rose to .9999 fine gold and from 1999 onwards a small number of pieces were struck at .99999 fine. The reverse shows a single sugar maple leaf. The obverse carries the reigning Canadian monarch.
Sizes produced include 1oz, half ounce, quarter ounce, tenth ounce, twentieth ounce and a very small fiftieth ounce. The 1oz coin weighs 31.103 grams of pure gold with no copper or silver alloy.
Security features on modern Maples
From 2013 the Royal Canadian Mint added micro-engraved security features to the reverse. A small textured radial line pattern emanates from the leaf and a tiny laser-engraved numeral marks the year of issue, only visible at high magnification. These features make modern Maples harder to counterfeit than older pre-2013 issues. If you are sending a recent coin, the micro-engraving is part of how we verify authenticity.
The soft 24 carat problem
.9999 fine gold is soft. A Maple Leaf in tube-fresh condition has crisp fields and a mirror-bright rim. A Maple that has been loose in a drawer, slid across a desk or dropped onto a hard surface will show dings on the rim and tiny scratches in the field. These are not value-killing on a bullion coin, but a heavily damaged Maple sometimes loses a small premium compared with the same coin in original tube condition.
This is why we ask sellers to photograph the rim and the field before shipping. A pre-shipping photo also protects you in the rare case of post damage. We see exactly what arrived and what was sent.
How the written valuation is built
On arrival every Maple Leaf is XRF-tested, weighed individually and inspected for damage. Final offers depend on inspection, item weight, purity, hallmarks, stones, non-gold components, condition and the live precious-metal market. The written valuation arrives on WhatsApp as an itemised list, one coin per line, with a clear note where condition has affected the offer.
Posting Maples without adding damage
- Photograph each coin in its current condition and send to 07763 741067.
- Wait for the shape-of-offer reply and prepaid label.
- Where possible, leave coins in their original tubes. They were designed for that journey.
- For loose coins, use individual flips and a padded envelope.
- Place the padded envelope into a rigid outer mailer.
- Drop off at a Post Office counter, get the receipt and forward the tracking on WhatsApp.
Insurance, decline and payment
Your parcel is insured up to £2,500 via Royal Mail Special Delivery. A 1oz Maple Leaf sits well under that cap on most days. A tube of ten Maples does not. For larger parcels we issue more than one label so every coin travels insured. Accept the valuation and Faster Payments leaves the same working day. Decline and we return your coins by tracked post at our cost.
Common questions
Are scratched Maples worth less?
Light surface marks do not change a bullion offer. Heavy rim damage on multiple coins can affect the offer slightly. We will tell you exactly which coins are affected in the written valuation.
Do you buy fractional Maples?
Yes. Half, quarter, tenth and twentieth ounce coins are all welcome.
Do I need the original Royal Canadian Mint assay card?
No, but please send it if you have it. It supports the provenance of the coin.
Is my parcel insured in the post?
Your parcel is insured up to £2,500 via Royal Mail Special Delivery. Larger parcels are split across multiple labels.
Are Maple Leafs CGT-exempt in the UK?
No. Foreign mint coins do not share the UK legal tender CGT exemption. Speak to your accountant for advice.
When am I paid?
On the working day you accept the written valuation, by bank transfer.
Do you take walk-ins?
No. We are postal-only, UK-wide.
How are fakes detected?
A combination of weight, XRF reading, magnetic test and post-2013 micro-engraving check.