A Compact Slice of the Purity Standard
The Royal Canadian Mint introduced the Gold Maple Leaf in 1979 as one of the first widely traded coins struck in .9999 fine gold, a standard other major mints eventually had to match. This 1/10 oz coin carries that same fineness in a size built for buyers who want gold in smaller steps rather than a full ounce at once. Every coin holds 0.1 troy ounces of .9999 fine gold, backed by a $5 CAD face value.
One Leaf, Two Monarchs
The reverse carries Walter Ott’s sugar maple leaf design, unchanged in concept since the series began, with CANADA above and the purity and weight legends flanking the leaf on both sides. The obverse carries whichever monarch was reigning when your coin was struck: Queen Elizabeth II’s portrait by Susanna Blunt on coins through 2023, and King Charles III’s left-facing portrait by Steven Rosati on coins from 2024 onward. Recent-year coins also carry radial security lines across the field, a feature built to resist counterfeiting rather than just to look modern. One leaf design, two monarchs depending on the year.
A Smaller Coin, A Real Premium
Every fractional Maple Leaf costs more per ounce than the full-ounce coin does, since the Mint’s cost to strike a coin doesn’t shrink at the same rate the coin itself does. That premium is simply part of buying gold in a tenth-ounce step instead of a full ounce, true of every fractional gold coin from every mint. The premium is real, the tradeoff for buying gold in a smaller step.
Government-Backed, Down to the Gram
What holds steady regardless of year or monarch is the metal itself and the backing behind it. Every coin weighs one-tenth of a troy ounce and assays at .9999 fine gold, carries a $5 CAD face value from the Canadian government, and clears the IRS’s fineness floor for a precious metals IRA. Weight and purity are assayed, whichever year or effigy arrives.
1/10 oz Gold Maple Leaf Specifications
Every coin holds 0.1 troy ounces of .9999 fine gold, 16 mm across, with a $5 CAD face value struck into the design. Purity and weight are fixed, whichever year or effigy ships. Full current specs are on the Specifications tab above.
1/10 oz Gold Maple Leaf FAQ
Will I get a Queen Elizabeth II or King Charles III coin?
Either. The Mint introduced the King Charles III effigy in 2024, and used Queen Elizabeth II’s before that. This listing ships whichever year is on hand. You cannot request a specific year or monarch.
Is the 1/10 oz Gold Maple Leaf IRA eligible?
Yes. At .9999 fine, it clears the IRS’s .995 minimum for a precious metals IRA by a wide margin, the same rule that applies to any size of Maple Leaf. The purity margin is wide, so eligibility isn’t a close call.
Why does a 1/10 oz coin cost more per ounce than a 1 oz coin?
Striking a smaller coin costs the Mint nearly as much as striking a larger one, and that fixed cost spreads across far less gold on a tenth-ounce piece. The cost spreads thinner, since there’s less gold to absorb it.
Does this coin have a mint mark?
No. Bullion-strike Maple Leafs never carry a mint mark, regardless of year or size. No mint mark is normal for this series, not a defect.
What condition will my coin arrive in?
Brilliant Uncirculated, as struck by the Mint. Coins may show light handling marks from minting and shipping, which is normal for the series and doesn’t affect the gold content. Condition is Brilliant Uncirculated, not a third-party grade.
Curious how this compares to the full-ounce coin? Browse our full selection.
Ready to add a compact step of four-nines gold to your stack? Add the 1/10 oz Canadian Gold Maple Leaf Coin to your cart.
michael c.h –
cant go wrong with maples imo