Another bumper release run in June from the most prolific mint around, the Royal Canadian. Over a dozen new coins have debuted, plus a couple of new additions to series we’ve already covered so we’ll split them up into two seperate posts.

This post will cover an RCM staple, the Maple Leaf themed coin, something we feel is a little too prolific personally, but they do seem to sell so we guess they know what people want more than we do. A couple of the coins are excellent however, the kilo designs in particular are beautifully done by one of our favourite artists, Julius Csotonyi.

All are available to order now with prices ranging from $115 to a staggering $69,000. Literally something for every budget.

$20 MAPLE LEAF MAZE

An unusual coin, not as clever as Coin Invest Trusts very innovative Egyptian themed maze coin, but certainly different. Early reviews on the RCM’s e-store haven’t been glowing but I’d be surprised if this didn’t sell out.

DESIGN: The reverse design brings together the use of colour, precision engraving and an innovative design to create a one-of-a-kind numismatic maze. A small brass ball rolls freely along the engraved circular pathway that forms the maze, while multiple paths provide the challenge of getting the ball to the bull’s eye in the centre of the reverse. In the background is a partial view of a Canadian icon that is recognized worldwide: the beautiful red maple leaf that proudly adorns our national flag.

ARTIST: Maurice Gervais

PRICE: $114.95 CND

MAPLE LEAF FOREVER 1KG

I have to admit, this is a very appealing design. I’m not usually a fan of coloured kilo coins, especially gold, but it’s used to great effect here. Pity about the seventy grand price-tag. The artist, Julius Csotonyi, has done some stunning paleoart for those interested, depicting dinosaurs in their environments, or at least as best we know.

DESIGN: The reverse design by Canadian artist Julius Csotonyi features outstanding full colour over the engraved depiction of a maple leaf, which is seen here as part of Canada’s stunning autumn landscape. In a wooded area, the cool autumn breeze has already caused brightly coloured maple leaves to tumble down to the ground. Each leaf is brought to life through careful engraving and a vibrant mix of red, yellow, orange and green colours; these give the leaf pile a natural look and feel while providing a colourful backdrop to the fallen tree. Detailed engraving masterfully recreates the rough texture of the fissured bark, upon which lays the beloved Canadian icon: a maple leaf. It, too, is resplendent in full colour against the muted colours of the tree trunk, while shadows subtly infuse the breathtaking design with a sense of light, depth and dimension.

ARTIST: Julius Csotonyi

PRICE: $69,000 CND in gold, $2,299.95 in silver

COLOURFUL MAPLE LEAF SHAPED

A sequel to last years maple-leaf shaped silver coin, this one is coloured but in other respects very similar. Having seen last years coin in hand, you have to admire the expertise in striking something this shape. Packaging is interesting, if a little large, being maple shaped as well.

DESIGN: The coin’s extraordinary design captures the beauty of a silver maple leaf in all its autumn splendour. The wavy, irregular nature of the leaf’s edge and the curved sinuses between its palmate lobes are painstakingly replicated through a labour-intensive process, which gives the coin its distinctive shape. Intricate detailing on the reverse brings it all to life, with veins running through the three upper lobes and the two smaller basal lobes. The full application of vibrant colour recreates the brilliant array of red, yellow and orange colours that are famously associated with the silver maple leaf on an autumn day in Canada.

ARTIST: Maurice Gervais

PRICE: $154.95 CND

MAPLE LEAF FOREVER PLATINUM

A rare platinum coin with even rarer gilding, this reverse-proof design is nice enough.

DESIGN: Features a stunning design that celebrates Canada’s mighty maples. Meticulous engraving recreates each leaf in astounding detail, with deeply cut lobes and serrated edges that add a sense of texture and depth. The leafy trio is representative of three maple species that are native to Canada, with selective gold plating to convey their most famous colours. In the centre is an engraved silver maple leaf; on the left is a red maple leaf, with pink gold plating that is reminiscent of its crimson autumn foliage; on the right is a sugar maple leaf, known for autumnal hues of gold that are represented by yellow gold plating.

ARTIST: Lilyane Coulombe

PRICE: $2,999.95 CND

MAPLE LEAVES GOLD

A five-ounce gold coin with another three leaf design. Quite a pricey item, even for the weight, but mintage is only 99 units.

DESIGN: This $500 proof-finish coin is 99.99% pure gold, with a diameter of 60.15 millimetres and a nominal metal weight of 156.05 grams. The reverse design by Canadian artist Celia Godkin features a delicate stem of three wind-blown sugar maple leaves. The tips of each leaf lift and curl in the breeze. Royal Canadian Mint engravers have masterfully rendered the leaves’ texture and movement using a variety of finishing techniques. The reverse is engraved with the words “CANADA”, “5 OZ”, the date “2016”, and the face value of “500 DOLLARS”. The obverse features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.

ARTIST: Celia Godkin

PRICE: $12,500.00 CND

JEWEL OF THE RAIN: BIGLEAF MAPLE

Another decent design with a good depiction of depth and a restrained use of colour. I’d prefer it without the crystal, but that is the point of this series.

DESIGN: This breathtaking coin features bigleaf maples along a forest trail, drawn from a captivating perspective with selective colour to showcase their super-sized leaves. The tree’s preferred soil type is evident in the scene while the element of rain is expressed through the raindrop-shaped Swarovski© element.

ARTIST: Caren Heine

PRICE: $124.95 CND

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SPECIFICATION

COIN DENOMINATION COMPOSITION WEIGHT DIAMETER FINISH MINTAGE BOX / COA
MAZE $20 CAD 0.9999 SILVER 31.39 g 38.0 mm PROOF  8.000 YES / YES
FOREVER $2,500 CAD 0.9999 GOLD 1000 g 101.6 mm PROOF 10 YES / YES
FOREVER $250 CAD 0.9999 SILVER 1000 g 102.1 mm PROOF 500 YES / YES
COLOURFUL $20 CAD 0.9999 SILVER 31.5 g 42 x 43 mm PROOF 15,000 YES / YES
FOREVER $300 CAD 0.9995 PLATINUM 31.16 g 30.0 mm REV PROOF 250 YES / YES
MAPLE LEAVES $500 CAD 0.9999 GOLD 156.05 g 60.15 mm PROOF 99 YES / YES
JEWEL BIGLEAF $20 CAD 0.9999 SILVER 31.39 g 38.0 mm PROOF 4,500 YES / YES

MINT LINK

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