Building on gold and silver’s safe-haven status throughout the pandemic, the Royal Canadian Mint has introduced a new way to gift precious metals with the launch of its “premium bullion” product line.
As of Dec. 2, collectors can mark some of life’s special moments with a $1/10th-ounce $5 Gold Maple Leaf (GML) or a one-ounce $1 Silver Maple Leaf (SML) in a special gift card folder. Each of the 2022-dated uncirculated bullion coins features themed packaging for events ranging from the Year of the Tiger (the Lunar New Year cycle for 2022) to births, birthdays, weddings, graduations and anniversaries.
Dubbed the “Treasured Maple Leaf” series, the SML is available in three packaging styles, including “Happy Birthday,” “Congratulations” and “Year of the Tiger,” while the GML is only available in the latter two themes. Each of the products can be personalized by writing a special message in the accompanying card folder.
The Gold Maple Leaf (shown) is available in ‘Congratulations’ (left) and ‘Year of the Tiger’ (right) packaging.
SML & GML
Except for the radial lines and updated security features, the reverse of the SML and GML coins have remained the same since the first issues in 1988 and 1979, respectively.
The 2022 SML is struck in an ounce of 99.99 per cent pure silver with a micro-engraved security mark and radial lines. It also features the Mint’s “Bullion DNA” anti-counterfeiting technology and “Mintshield” surface protection.
The 2022 GML is struck in 3.11 grams of 99.99 per cent pure gold and features an array of radial lines on its obverse and reverse.
Both coins’ reverses feature the iconic sugar maple leaf design created in 1979 by the Austrian-born master engraver Walter Ott, who served in that role from 1977 until his retirement in 1985. The coins’ obverses depict the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by China-born artist Susanna Blunt, who grew up in British Columbia.
The Treasured SML and GML products have been initially offered for $59.95 and $349.95, respectively; however, the Mint stated all pricing is subject to change.
With the exception of its boutiques in Ottawa and Winnipeg, the Mint’s bullion products are only typically sold by its authorized bullion dealers, but the new premium bullion can also be ordered directly from the Crown corporation online at mint.ca, over the phone at 1-800-267-1871 in Canada (or 1-800-268-6468 in the United States) and on the Mint’s mobile app.