Canadian Gold Maple Leaf: purity, security features and IRA status

The short answer

The Gold Maple Leaf is the Royal Canadian Mint’s bullion coin, made since 1979 and in 99.99% pure gold since late 1982. The 1 oz coin weighs 31.11 grams and has a face value of 50 Canadian dollars. It’s allowed in a U.S. gold IRA, it’s traded all over the world, and in the U.S. it usually costs a little less than an American Gold Eagle. Newer coins carry security features you can check with a magnifier.

At a glance

Made by	Royal Canadian Mint
First issued	1979
Purity	.9999 fine gold (24 karat) since November 1982
1 oz coin	31.11 g, 30 mm, C$50 face value
Other sizes	1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/10 oz and 1/20 oz
Allowed in an IRA	Yes

Specifications

The 1 oz Maple Leaf contains one troy ounce of 99.99% pure gold. It measures 30 mm across, has a serrated edge, and carries a face value of 50 Canadian dollars. The Mint makes smaller sizes too:

Size	Face value
1 oz	C$50
1/2 oz	C$20
1/4 oz	C$10
1/10 oz	C$5
1/20 oz	C$1

Sources: Royal Canadian Mint; Wikipedia.

The face value is a formality and far below the value of the gold.

The first Maple Leafs, made from 1979 to 1982, were 99.9% pure. The Mint moved to 99.99% in November 1982, and regular bullion Maple Leafs have been made to that standard ever since.

The design

The back shows a single maple leaf. The front shows the monarch: King Charles III on current coins, in an effigy by Canadian artist Steven Rosati, and Queen Elizabeth II on coins made during her reign. Both trade on their gold content.

Security features

The Mint has added several anti-counterfeiting features over the years:

Radial lines. The background on both sides is covered in fine, precision-cut lines that create a distinctive light-diffracting pattern.
Micro-engraved maple leaf. A small textured maple leaf is laser-engraved on the reverse. Under magnification, it shows the last two digits of the year, such as “26” on 2026 coins.
Bullion DNA. The Mint records micro-engraved marks from its production dies in a secure database, and dealers use the system to authenticate coins dated 2014 or later.

You can check the first two yourself with a 10x loupe. Coins made before these features were added aren’t fakes for lacking them, but any coin you’re unsure about is worth having tested by a dealer.

Can Maple Leafs go in an IRA?

Yes. An IRA can hold gold bullion that meets the purity needed for delivery on a regulated futures contract, which is 99.5% for gold. Maple Leafs are 99.99%, and even the 99.9% coins from 1979 to 1982 meet the standard, though a custodian may keep its own list of accepted products.

The coins have to be held by the IRA’s trustee or custodian. The gold IRA guide explains how that works.

Price and resale

Maple Leafs sell for the spot price of their gold plus a premium. In the U.S., that premium is usually a little lower than on Gold Eagles, and dealers usually pay a little less for Maple Leafs when you sell. Pure gold is soft, so handle the coins by the edges and keep them in their tubes or capsules.

To compare a quote with spot, see what gold really costs. If you’re choosing between coins, our gold coins buyer’s guide puts the main bullion coins side by side.

Do dealers report Maple Leaf sales to the IRS?

Sometimes. When you sell precious metals to a dealer, the dealer may have to file Form 1099-B. The IRS ties this to the quantities that can be delivered on a CFTC-approved futures contract, and it clarified the wording of the rule in 2026. In practice, dealers commonly treat a sale of 25 or more 1 oz Maple Leafs, Krugerrands or Mexican 50-peso coins within 24 hours as reportable. Gold Eagles and Buffalos generally aren’t reported under this rule.

Whether or not a form is filed, a gain is taxable. The IRS taxes gold coins as collectibles, at up to 28% on gains from coins held more than a year.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Maple Leaf pure gold?

Yes. Regular bullion Maple Leafs made since November 1982 are 99.99% pure. The Mint has also made special 99.999% versions, sold at higher prices.

What’s the difference between a Maple Leaf and a Gold Eagle?

The Maple Leaf is 24-karat gold from Canada, and the Gold Eagle is 22-karat gold from the U.S. Both contain a full ounce of gold in the 1 oz size and both are allowed in IRAs. The Maple Leaf usually costs a little less, and the Eagle is a little easier to sell in the U.S.

Why is the face value in Canadian dollars?

The coin is legal tender in Canada. The face value is symbolic and far below the value of the gold.

Are older Maple Leafs without radial lines fake?

Not necessarily. The Mint added its security features from 2013 onward, so older coins don’t have them. Have a dealer test any coin you’re unsure about.