Silver Maple Leaf Bullion Coins Bear New Security Features

Two new security features have visibly changed Silver Maple Leaf bullion coins for 2014 and beyond, the Royal Canadian Mint described last week when it started selling them.

These changes refresh the popular 25-year old, one-ounce 99.99% pure silver bullion product and may enhance its desirability among investors and collectors.

2014 Silver Maple Leafs will exhibit a new finish, replacing the traditional finish that has appeared on the bullion coins since their inaugural release in 1988. Also added is an entirely new laser-engraved mark.

"The Royal Canadian Mint is committed to delivering outstanding quality and value to its customers by constantly improving its products through innovation," said Ian E. Bennett, President and CEO of the Royal Canadian Mint. "After 25 years of producing the world’s purest and one of its most popular silver bullion coins, the Mint is pleased to offer investors even more value by incorporating technology which also makes our Silver Maple Leaf bullion coin a world leader in security."

The new finish features radial lines found in the field of both the obverse and reverse. These lines appear to emerge from the center of the Silver Maple Leaf and continue to the rim.

As described by the RCM, the field of lines are "precisely machined to within microns on the master tooling to ensure consistent die production and coin striking." The radiating lines were created at a specific width and pitch to generate a light-diffracting pattern.

Joining the new finish is a micro-engraving that incorporates the number "14" (for the year 2014) inside a textured maple leaf. This same security feature was first introduced on the 2012 $1 and $2 circulation coins and also was utilized beginning with the bullion 2013 Gold Maple Leaf coin.

Since their debut, Silver Maple Leafs have featured an obverse portrait of Queen Elizabeth II and a reverse design of a single maple leaf. Specifications for the release include a $5 face value and a diameter of 38 mm.

2014 Silver Maple Leaf bullion coins are in the process of being shipped to the Royal Canadian Mint’s network of authorized dealers who are already selling them.