2017 Canadian Silver Maple Leaf Bullion Coin Description And History
The Coin.
The 2017 Canadian Silver Maple Leaf has been struck by the Royal Canadian Mint and released for distribution by the Canadian government. For a combination of reasons, including extreme silver purity standards and a willingness to accommodate the customer, the one troy ounce official silver bullion coin of Canada is still gaining in popularity in North America and abroad.
The obverse, or front of the silver coin, features the raised likeness of Queen Elizabeth II. As the Canadian coinage has been re-designed from time to time, portraits of the Queen at different ages have been incorporated. The 2017 Canadian Silver Maple Leaf displays the most recent likeness of the Queen, which was captured by artist Susanna Blunt and has been used on Canadian coinage since 2004. Above the profile of the Queen, in an arc, are the letters “ELIZABETH II”. Below the Queen, in an upside-down arc, are the coin’s denomination and year of the strike. In this case, they read “5 DOLLARS” and “ 2017”.
The reverse, or back of the coin, is dominated by a large, central maple leaf. The maple leaf is raised and detailed. Below the maple leaf and to the right is the micro laser-etched security feature. Arcing above the maple leaf is the word “CANADA”. Below the maple leaf arc the words “FINE SILVER” and “1 OZ. ARGENT PUR”. To either side of the maple leaf, there is a mark of “9999”. This is the purity mark. The Canadian Silver Maple Leaf bullion coin is 99.99% pure silver. No other metals are contained in the official silver bullion coin from Canada.
The Mint.
The Royal Canadian Mint is renowned for several achievements. Perhaps first and foremost are proprietary technical breakthroughs that allow for further refinement and higher purity levels. The 2017 Canadian Silver Maple Leaf bullion coin contains some of the purest silver in the world. In addition, the 2017 Canadian Silver Maple Leaf also incorporates anti-counterfeiting and security technology that is impressive. In 2014 the silver bullion coin received two new technical advances that carry through to the 2017 strikes. First, radial lines emanate from the center of both the front and rear designs outward. The lines are very fine and appear behind the main images. The lines give the coin a shimmer and luster that other silver bullion coins do not possess.
Secondly, like the Canadian Gold Maple Leaf Coin, the silver counterpart incorporates a small laser micro-engraved textured maple leaf. Inside of the maple leaf resides two digits which correspond with the year the coin was minted. Magnification is required to see the finest details of this security feature.
The Metal.
The Canadian Silver Maple Leaf is lauded for being a very pure bullion coin. The Silver American Eagle is 99.90% pure silver as compared to the 99.99% pure silver rating of it’s Canadian counterpart. At this point, there is no significant advantage in acquiring the Canadian coin specifically for superior silver fineness. However, it should be noted that the Silver American Eagle routinely costs more to purchase than the higher purity Silver Maple Leaf bullion coin. The Canadian Silver Maple Leaf weighs one troy ounce or 31.1035 grams. The coin has a diameter of 1.4948 inches or 37.97 millimeters. The coin is .1295 inches or 3.29 millimeters in thickness. The edge of the coin is serrated or reeded.
Interestingly, the assigned legal tender value of five Canadian dollars gives this silver bullion coin a stated value substantially higher than other bullion pieces produced around the world. For instance, the one troy ounce Silver American Eagle has a legal tender value of one US dollar.
Of Special Note.
The Canadian Silver Maple Leaf coins for sale on this page are in Barely Uncirculated condition. Due to the purity of the silver in these coins and the size and raised nature of the coin designs, Canadian Silver Maple Leaf coins blemish and scar easily. Special care should be used when handling and counting these coins.
In addition, the Canadian Silver Maple Leaf coin is somewhat notorious for sometimes carrying what are referred to as “milk spots”. These are small whitish spots on the coin that occur during production when remnants of a cleaning agent remain on the coin before it is introduced into the annealing furnace. These small spots do not alter the value of the coin.
The Silver Canadian Maple Leaf And Your IRA.
Do you have a 401k plan or an IRA (Individual Retirement Account) that you have considered converting to a precious metals-backed IRA? Call an ITM Trading representative at 1.888.OWN.GOLD with your questions. Most often, a new precious metals IRA can be funded from your existing account without any penalties or tax consequences.
Once all of your questions are answered, ITM Trading can assist you in establishing your new account and ITM Trading can deliver the physical gold and silver coins and bars that you select to the approved IRA vaulting facility of your choice. Contact ITM Trading about placing 2017 Canadian Silver Maple Leaf coins to your retirement plan today!
