2023 Canada 35th Anniversary of the Silver Maple Leaf Silver Fractional Set (No Tax)

In 2023, Canada’s Silver Maple Leaf (SML) bullion coin turns 35 and the Royal Canadian Mint is marking the occasion in this instalment of their annual 99.99% pure silver fractional set. All five double-dated (“1988 2023”) coins in this fractional set feature a classically styled red maple (Acer rubrum) leaf, a dazzling Canadian maple that gets its name from the spring colour of its flowers and leaf buds. That “blush” of colour inspired our application of rose gold plating to the 1 oz. coin, where the raised rim consists of an engraved pattern of 35 tiny maple leaves that artfully elevates our SML anniversary celebration to new heights. 

The fast-growing red maple is one of the first Canadian maple species to undergo its colourful transformation in the fall. Its leaves are known to turn a beautiful, bright red, but they could also be yellow or orange—in fact, the “red” in the species’ common name refers to the springtime colours of the tree’s leaf buds and flowers.

When the Silver Maple Leaf (SML) debuted in 1988, it made history as the world's first 99.99% pure silver bullion coin. Thirty-five years later, the SML continues to be one of the most sought-after silver bullion coins, and it still bears its signature maple leaf—an iconic design by RCM Master Engraver Walter Ott, who originally created it for Canada’s Gold Maple Leaf (GML) bullion coin.

On all five coins, the reverse design by Marie Elaine Cusson features a classical styled portrait of a red maple (Acer rubrum) leaf, along with the double dates “1988 2023” commemorating the 35th anniversary of the first Silver Maple Leaf (SML) bullion coin. On the 1 oz. coin, rose gold plating highlights the engraved rim, which consists of a repeating pattern of Acer rubrum leaves. Each reverse includes the words “CANADA”, the coin’s purity and weight, and the year “2023”. Each obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.

Specifications:
Item Number: 204830
Mintage: 3,000
Composition: 99.99% pure silver, with selective rose gold plating on the 1oz. coin
Finish: Reverse Proof
Edge: Serrated
Artist: Marie Elaine Cusson (reverse), Susannah Blunt (obverse)

Special Features: 
• An RCM first: Plated and Engraved rim! For the first time, a selectively plated rim with 35 engraved maple leaves frames the art on the largest coin in this fractional set, which celebrates the 35th anniversary of Canada’s Silver Maple Leaf bullion coin.
• Raised rim! While a typical rim is raised, it rarely features any details other than denticles—but that’s not the case with this set’s 1 oz. coin. The repeating pattern of engraved maple leaves adds a captivating textural element and reflects our pride in minting one of the world’s most sought-after bullion coins.
• Rose Gold! The 1 oz. coin includes rose gold plating that further emphasizes the raised maple leaf rim as the standout feature.
• Precious portraits! All five coins in this fractional set—1 oz., ½ oz., ¼ oz., 1/10 oz. and 1/20 oz.— are crafted in 99.99% pure silver. Each reverse features the same classical-styled portrait of a leaf from a Canadian maple species that is known for its spring and fall colours, which inspired the Royal Canadian Mint's application of rose gold plating to the 1 oz. coin.
• Double Dated! The Coral Anniversary (35th) of the first Silver Maple Leaf (SML) bullion coin is commemorated by the double dates “1988” and “2023” appearing on each coin’s reverse.
• Reverse Proof! The five coins feature a reverse proof finish—brilliant relief on frosted/matte field—that keeps the focus on the engraving.

Packaging:
The coin is encapsulated and presented in a Royal Canadian Mint-branded clamshell with a black beauty box.