2021 $200 Pure Gold Piedfort Maple Leaf Celebration Coin

This $200 coin follows a historic tradition while at the same time being the Royal Canadian Mint's first-ever one-ounce pure gold piedfort. This extra-thick format piedfort coin features a realistic red maple leaf in the foreground with a pattern of floating leaves behind. A "25" privy mark is also incorporated into the design, marking 25 years since the maple leaf was officially recognized as Canada's arboreal emblem.

For more than 500 years, some European mints have issued small quantities of double-thickness piedfort coins for nobility, dignitaries and VIP collectors. By using a thicker-than-normal format, these coins can be struck with exceptional detail and near-perfect surfaces. The word piedfort literally means "strong foot" in French and appeared centuries ago to mean "heavy measure" in minting. Today, piedfort more generally indicates that a coin is thicker than usual. Enhanced by the coin's reverse proof finish, a maple leaf field pattern dazzles on both the reverse and the obverse, which features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.

Did you know? 
The red maple is one of the most commonly found maples in eastern Canada. Contrary to popular belief, the red maple wasn't named for its fall colours (red, but sometimes gold)—it gets its name from the colour of its twigs, buds and flowers in the spring.

• Mintage: 500
• Diameter: 25 mm
• Weight: 1 oz pure gold
• GST/HST exempt

Includes:
• 2021 $200 Pure Gold Maple Leaf Celebration Piedfort Coin