Gold Maple Leaf: specifications, value and where to buy

When the Maple Leaf launched in 1979 it was a direct rival to the Krugerrand, and in late 1982 it became the first bullion coin struck in 99.99% gold. That purity matters for tax: it keeps the coin out of Canada's GST/HST and Australia's GST, and it passes the US IRA fineness test. The Royal Canadian Mint says more than 25 million troy ounces have been sold. Here are the official specifications, its security features, live value and real Canadian dealer prices.

What are the Gold Maple Leaf's specifications?

Source: Royal Canadian Mint, 2026 Gold Maple Leaf 1 oz product page. The mint's page does not list thickness or name the reverse designer.

The 30 mm diameter is a useful detail: it is smaller than the Britannia (32.69 mm) and Krugerrand (32.77 mm), because pure gold is denser than a 22 carat alloy and the coin is relatively thick. For background on the mint itself, see our guide to the Royal Canadian Mint.

What sizes does the Gold Maple Leaf come in?

Fractional face values from reference listings. A 1 gram Maple Leaf is also made. Smaller sizes carry higher premiums per gram.

What is a Gold Maple Leaf worth today?

The melt value is what the gold in the coin is worth at the live spot price, the wholesale price for one ounce. For the 1 oz Maple Leaf, melt value and spot are the same.

Spot-based melt values, not dealer prices. Last updated: Loading. Value any amount with the coin melt value calculator.

How much do Canadian dealers charge for a Maple Leaf?

The premium is what you pay above the gold value. On Sunday 11 October 2026, with spot at CA$5,978.73 an ounce, our automated check read the single-coin price of a 1 oz Gold Maple Leaf at two Canadian online dealers, for both wire transfer and card.

Premium = price / (1 oz x spot) - 1. Spot from gold-api.com (XAU/CAD). Captured on a weekend when the gold market was closed. More dates: premium tracker.

The payment method made a bigger difference than the choice of dealer. Card payment added CA$227.97 at Gold Stock Canada and CA$246.71 at Canadian PMX, about 4 percentage points. Wire was the cheapest route at both. We did not capture UK or US Maple Leaf prices in this check, so we do not quote a premium for them. For coins versus bars, see gold coins vs gold bars.

See Maple Leaf prices at Gold Stock Canada

How is the Gold Maple Leaf taxed in Canada, the US, UK and Australia?

Canada. CRA GST/HST Memorandum 17-1 treats gold of at least 99.5% purity, in bars, wafers or coins, as an exempt financial instrument, so no GST or HST is charged when you buy a Maple Leaf. A profit on sale is normally taxed under the capital gains rules (or as income if you trade often). Our Canada gold tax guide explains the details.

United States. The Maple Leaf is a foreign coin, but its 99.99% purity beats the 99.5% bullion threshold in 26 USC 408(m), and the coin must be held by the IRA trustee in an approved depository. Outside an IRA, gains are taxed at the collectibles rate. See our gold IRA guide, or compare it with the US coin in Gold Eagle vs Maple Leaf.

United Kingdom. The Maple Leaf is VAT free as an investment gold coin, but it is foreign currency, so HMRC treats it as a chargeable asset for Capital Gains Tax. That is the main reason UK buyers lean towards the Britannia.

Australia. The ATO's ruling GSTR 2003/10 makes gold of 99.5% purity or more GST-free, so the Maple Leaf competes directly with the Perth Mint Kangaroo.

How do you spot a fake Gold Maple Leaf?

The Royal Canadian Mint built three security features into modern Maple Leafs:

• Radial lines: precisely machined lines in the background create a light-diffracting pattern. Tilt the coin and the lines should shimmer evenly. They were added in 2015.
• Micro-engraved maple leaf: a small textured leaf laser-engraved on the reverse. Under a magnifying glass, the last two digits of the year appear in its centre ("26" on 2026 coins). It first appeared in 2013.
• Bullion DNA: the mint records encrypted images of coins in a secure database, which helps authenticate Maple Leafs dated 2014 and later. Dealers with the mint's reader can check a coin.

Simple checks still catch most fakes:

• Weigh it: 31.11 g for the 1 oz coin, on a scale reading to 0.01 g.
• Measure it: 30 mm across. Tungsten-core fakes often have to be thicker or wider to hit the weight.
• Look for the right colour: pure gold is a rich yellow, with no reddish tint.
• Get it tested: XRF (an X-ray scan of the surface) or ultrasonic testing does not damage the coin.

More checks in how to tell if gold is real.

Which years and versions of the Maple Leaf exist?

Dates from the Royal Canadian Mint and reference listings. Special 99.999% coins are separate from the regular 99.99% bullion series.

Where can you buy Gold Maple Leafs?

In Canada, online dealers such as Gold Stock Canada, Canadian PMX and Silver Gold Bull sell Maple Leafs, and you can see how they compare in our Canada gold buying guide. In the US, the coin is stocked by large online dealers including APMEX and SD Bullion. In the UK and Australia it is widely available, though local buyers often prefer the Britannia or Kangaroo for tax or premium reasons.

Pros and cons of the Gold Maple Leaf

For other first-time options, see our best gold coins for beginners or browse all gold coin guides.

Not financial advice. GoldVetted provides general information to help you compare options. It is not personal financial, tax or legal advice. Gold prices go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you pay. Check tax rules with the official source or a qualified adviser before you act.