The Silver Maple leaf is the official silver bullion coin of Canada. Containing a single troy ounce of silver, the coins come in a variety of designs and sizes, ranging from 1/20 ounce to a full ounce. The coins have a face value of $5 Canadian, which stems from their high 99.99% level of silver purity.
The coins marked their 20th anniversary in 1999 with a special design from the Royal Canadian Mint. Collectors have taken kindly to these special limited distribution editions, owing to their high quality. One special edition included a 2006 Four Seasons coin, with a face value of $50 and a limited distribution.
The design on the coins features a maple leaf, as well as a young version of Queen Elizabeth II, showing the dual heritage of Canada. Special editions include variations on the basic design, which has been consistent over the past few decades. The Mint produces a Sugar Maple limited distribution design each year for proofs and collectors to supplement the several million that enter mainstream currency circulation. Additionally, a hologram design has been utilized to feature commemorations on an annual basis.
