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Last Updated on 09/10/2026

30th Anniversary Canadian
Silver Maple Leaf
1 oz. Bullion Coin

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1988 - 2018

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The 30th Anniversary Canadian Silver Maple Leaf Bullion Coin is a special commemorative bullion coin by the Royal Canadian Mint to celebrate the initial release of the 1 oz Silver Maple Leaf bullion coin.

In 1988, the first Silver Maple Leaf bullion coin was minted, 9-years after the successful release of the Gold Maple Leaf bullion coin.

Since the silver bullion coin's introduction, it has been a staple investment coin among bullion investors and collectors.

The coin's design, purity and liquidity have made it an attractive asset for bullion investors.

Silver Maple Leaf Bullion Coin
Obverse Design Changes

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1988 - 2018

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Over the last 30 years, the Silver Maple Leaf bullion coin has had  noticeable changes to its obverse side.

Note: The effigies of Queen Elizabeth II in this section were on the obverse side of all Canadian circulated and commemorative coins, not only the Maple Leaf bullion coins during the years noted. 

Queen Elizabeth II's 
Three Effigies on the Silver Maple Leaf

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Radial Lines

For security reasons, in 2014, the Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) added radial lines to make it harder for counterfeiters to reproduce the coins; the lines are on the obverse and reverse sides of the Silver Maple Leaf bullion coin.

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2023 was the last year that the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II was on the Canadian Silver Maple Leaf Bullion Coin.

MINT SHIELD

MINTSHIELD™, by the Royal Canadian Mint, is the world's first and only proven solution for reducing white spots or 'milk spots' on silver bullion coins.

Since 2018, every Silver Maple Leaf bullion coin has had the  MINTSHIELD™ applied to it.

The video below offers a quick overview of all the security features of each Silver and Gold Maple Leaf Bullion Coin.

Micro-Engraved Maple Leaf
Security Mark

In 2014, the Royal Canadian Mint added a Security Mark to the reverse side of the 1oz Canadian Silver Maple Leaf bullion coin.

The security mark is a Micro-Engraved Maple Leaf design produced by the Mint’s use of laser technology.

Inside the laser-engraved maple leaf is a "numeral" indicating the coin's "Year of Issue," which is more easily visible under magnification.

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30th Anniversary Canadian
Silver Maple Leaf
Design

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Obverse

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The obverse side of the 30th Anniversary Canadian Silver Maple Leaf bullion coin displays the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, designed by Susanna Blunt.

Inscriptions:

• ELIZABETH II
• 5 DOLLARS  (face value)
  
• 1988 - 2018
  
• SB - designer's initials on the Queen's shoulder

The Edge of the silver coin is reeded.

Coin photo courtesy of SD Bullion

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Reverse

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The reverse side of the 30th Anniversary Canadian Silver Maple Leaf Bullion Coin features the "Maple Leaf," designed by Walter Ott, with a "30" intertwined around it.

Inscriptions:

• CANADA
• 9999  (purity)
• FINE SILVER
• 1 OZ
  
• ARGENT PUR ("Pure Silver" in French)
  
• Micro-engraved Maple Leaf security feature
  

The Royal Canadian Mint added radial lines to make it harder for counterfeiters to reproduce the coins; these lines are on both sides of all the Canadian Maple Leaf bullion coins.

Coin photo courtesy of SD Bullion

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30th Anniversary
1oz Canadian Silver Maple Leaf
Coin Information

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Introduction:........2018

IRA approved:......Yes

Grade:.................Uncirculated

Face Value:..........$5 CAD

Silver Content:.....1 Troy oz.

Total Weight:.......31.10 grams

Purity:.................99.99% / 999.9 per mille

Diameter:............38mm

Thickness:...........3.29mm

Mint Mark:...........No

Designers:...........Susanna Blunt (obverse) & Walter Ott (reverse)

Edge:..................reeded

Mintage:.............250,000

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