Face Value: $10
Mintage: 100,000
Composition: 99.99% Silver
Weight (g): 15.87
Diameter (mm): 34
Finish: Proof
Design: Valour, perseverance, diversity: the maple leaf is a powerful symbol of Canadian identity and values. This national symbol is well-chosen: the sugar maple is a very important member of the northeastern Canadian boreal forest. While the species is most renowned for the clarity of its sap, which produces some of the world’s purest and finest maple syrup, it is also a highly resilient tree that can germinate, grow, and thrive in areas with poor sunlight and problematic soil. It produces extremely hard, sought-after hardwood, which is used for items ranging from musical instruments and furnishings to professional basketball court floors and pool cues.
This hardy species has represented Canadians’ stalwart spirit and strong connection to the country’s natural landscape. When the symbol first came into official use in the nineteenth century, Canadians chose a twig of three golden maple leaves to represent Ontario and a twig of three green maple leaves to represent Quebec. As the years unfolded, so did the intricacies and applications of this national symbol, most prominently on the national flag and on Canadian currency.