Canadian Gold Maple Leaf

The Canadian Gold Maple Leaf Coin is the 24 Karat gold bullion coin of Canada. The Royal Canadian Mint began production in 1979. The metallic composition is 99.99% gold. (The purity was 99.9% until 1982.) Canadian Gold Maple Leafs come in five troy ounce sizes: 1/20 oz, 1/10 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/2 oz, and 1 oz. The five types of coins have the same design but are denominated in Canadian dollars: $1 (.05 oz), $5 (.1 oz), $10 (.25 oz), $20(.5 oz) and $50 (1 oz).

The obverse ("heads") side features a bust of Queen Elisabeth II, head of state of Canada, designed by Arnold Machin. Gold Maple Leaf Coins minted in the years 1979-1989 show the Queen at age 39. Since 1990 the Queen is shown at age 64. The words "ELIZABETH II" are show in an arc across the top. The denomination and mint date are shown in an arc around the bottom.

The reverse ("tails") side shows the Canadian Maple Leaf. The Maple Leaf became the national symbol of Canada in 1965 when The National Flag of Canada with the Maple Leaf design was adopted. The world "CANADA" is shown in an arc across the top. The purity of the coin "9999" is shown on either side of the Maple Leaf. The gold content of the coin is in an arc around the bottom, for example, "FINE GOLD 1OZ OR PUR".

Here are a few interesting facts about Gold Canadian Maple Leaf Coins. By law the gold used to make the coins must be mined in Canada. A number of special issues have been made. These include a 99.999% gold coin, a colorized Gold Maple Leaf coin, a holographic Gold Maple Leaf coin, and a one million dollar denominated coin weighing 100 kilograms.

Face Value	$1	$5	$10	$20	$50
Gross Weight (Troy)	0.0508	0.1007	0.2507	0.5010	1.0015
Gross Weight (Grams)	1.581	3.131	7.797	15.584	31.150
Gold Weight (Troy)	0. 50	0.10	0.25	0.50	1.00
Gold Weight (Grams)	1.555	3.110	7.776	15.55	31.10
Diameter (mm)	14.1	16.00	20.00	25.00	30.0
Thickness (mm)	0.92	1.13	1.78	2.23	2.87

American Eagle Gold Coin

The American Eagle Gold Coin is a 22 Karat gold bullion coin made by the United States Mint. The Mint began production in 1986. The metallic composition is 91.67% gold, 3% silver and 5.33% copper. American Eagle Gold coins come in four troy ounce sizes: 1/10 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/2 oz, and 1 oz. The four types of coins have the same design but are denominated $5 (.1 oz), $10 (.25 oz), $25(.5 oz) and $50 (1 oz).

The obverse ("heads") side of the coin shows Lady Liberty and is based on the famous $20 dollar gold "Double Eagle" coin designed by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. (The Double Eagle was produced from 1907 until 1933.) Lady Liberty holds up a torch in her right hand signifying enlightenment and the olive branch in her right hand symbolizing peace. The mint date of the coin is on the obverse size.

The reverse ("tails") side shows a male eagle hovering over a nest with a sitting female eagle and two chicks. The male eagle is carrying the olive branch of peace. The writing on the reverse is as follows. "IN GOD WE TRUST" - the official national motto of the United States of America. "E PLURIBUS UNUM" - (Latin for "Out of Many, One") another of the nations mottos that appears on the Great Seal of the United States. Finally, the weight and denomination of the coin is given, for example, "1 OZ. FINE GOLD - 50 DOLLARS".

Here are a few interesting facts about the American Gold Eagle coin. By law the gold used to make the coins must be mined in America. The coin has 46 stars on the obverse side. This is the same number of stars, representing the number of states in the Union in 1907, that appears on the original Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle. Treasury Secretary Paulson has authorized a new coin, the "2009 Ultra High Relief Double Eagle Gold" that will have 50 stars.

Face Value	$5	$10	$25	$50
Gross Weight (Troy)	0.1091	0.2727	0.5454	1.0909
Gross Weight (Grams)	3.393	8.483	16.965	33.930
Gold Weight (Troy)	0.10	0.25	0.50	1.00
Gold Weight (Grams)	3.110	7.776	15.552	31.104
Diameter (mm)	16.50	22.00	27.00	32.70
Thickness (mm)	1.19	1.83	2.24	2.87