2010 Silver Piedfort Maple Leaf Coin Sells Out, Set Remains

Released late last month, the single 2010 Silver Piedfort Maple Leaf Coin from the Royal Canadian Mint sold out in less than a week, leaving only a gold and silver piedfort set remaining. Their quick disappearance from Mint shelves is not entirely surprising owing to their unique design and limited 6,000 mintage.

Each coin continues the tradition of a maple leaf image which dates back to 1988 when the first Silver Maple Leaf was introduced by the Mint.

As familiar as the design concept may be, however, these coins are unique among Royal Canadian Mint products because they are struck as a piedfort.

Piedfort coins are much thicker than a typical strike. In fact, the term "piedfort" comes from the French and means "heavy measure." Its origins can be traced back to medieval times when coin makers deliberately struck thicker coins in order to differentiate them.

Their intentions worked and even those in the royal courts of the age sought out piedfort coins as a symbol of power and wealth. Interest in piedforts continue to this day, as can be substantiated by the quick sell out of the 2010 Silver Piedfort Maple Leaf coin.

The coin actually has the same diameter as the traditional half-ounce Silver Maple Leaf coin, but it is struck with double the amount of pure silver. This significantly increased the thickness of the strike to 3.84 mm and ensures they are in the piedfort style.

The Royal Canadian Mint has created a piedfort silver coin before, but this piece marks the first time it has minted a pure silver piedfort featuring the Maple Leaf design which is found on the reverse. A portrait of Her Majesty Elizabeth II graces the obverse of the strikes and was designed by Susanna Blunt.

Containing one ounce of 99.99 pure silver, 2010 Silver Piedfort Maple Leaf coins have a diameter of 34 mm and feature a face value of $5 (CAD). Each coin features a unique reverse proof finish and a serrated edge. The Mint shipped each strike in a special display case along with a numbered certificate of authenticity.

With the entire mintage of 6,000 individual coins sold, collectors have two options to still obtain them. First, they can purchase a special two-coin set from the Royal Canadian Mint which also contains a 2010 Gold Piedfort Maple Leaf Coin, but that sells for $679.95 (CAD). Second, the Silver Piedfort Maple Leaf coins may also be found on the secondary market.

Visit the Royal Canadian Mint’s website (http://www.mint.ca/) for more information.