On the obverse of Silver Canadian Maple Leaf Coins, you’ll find a right-profile portrait of Queen Elizabeth II. To date, this coin’s release, Queen Elizabeth II’s effigy has been featured in three different images. The initial first-generation design lasted just 11 years from 1953 to 1964, while the second generation is the longest-running at 24 years from 1965 to 1989. This third-generation portrait was on the Silver Maple Leaf and other Canadian coins from 1990 to 2002.
The reverse of all 1997 1 oz Silver Canadian Maple Leaf Coins includes the sugar maple leaf design. The sugar maple leaf was floated as a potential national symbol for an independent Canada as early as 1834, 33 years before its confederation movement. In fact, in 1867, during the confederation, Alexander Muir wrote the confederation song known as The Maple Leaf Forever, which remained the national anthem for several decades.
Coin Highlights:
It consists of One Troy ounce of .9999 fine silver in BU condition.
The Canadian government fully backs the face value of $5 (CAD).
The obverse bears the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.
The reverse includes the original sugar maple leaf from Walter Ott.
Denomination: $5 CAD
Metal Content: 1 oz
Thickness: 3.29 mm
Diameter: 38 mm
