History & provenance
Four-nines pioneer.
Introduced1988
DesignWalter Ott (maple leaf)
Archive record2021
The 2021 issue is one chapter in the series. The Royal Canadian Mint introduced the Silver Maple Leaf in 1988. It was the first widely issued bullion coin struck in .9999 fine silver, setting a purity benchmark that later became familiar across modern bullion.
Walter Ott’s maple leaf fills the reverse, while the obverse portrait changes with Canada’s monarch. Later issues added radial line engraving and a micro-engraved maple security mark, making the series a useful timeline of the Mint’s anti-counterfeit work as well as an annual bullion set.
SourceRoyal Canadian Mint — Silver Maple Leaf history↗Collector reference only. Dies, finishes, packaging, and production varieties can differ between examples; independently authenticate high-value purchases.
government mintfour ninessecurity features2021