The Canadian Platinum Maple Leaf is the official platinum bullion coin of Canada was introduced in 1988, the same year as the Silver Maple Leaf. Yet, the Royal Canadian Mint only produced the platinum coin between 1988 and 2002. However, it was reintroduced in 2009.
Similarly to the other Maple Leaf coins, the Platinum Maple Leaf features Canada’s national symbol, the maple leaf, on the obverse side. Moreover, the obverse side of the coin shows the inscriptions CANADA, FINE PLATINUM, PLATINE PUR, as well as the weight. The reverse design features the profile of Queen Elizabeth (which was changed in 1990 and in 2009 to portray a more mature Queen), the denomination, the year of mintage, as well the inscription ELIZABETH II.
All coins are marked as containing .9995 pure platinum.
The coin was also issued in 1/20 oz, 1/15 oz (only in 1994), 1/10 oz, ΒΌ oz, and 1 oz denominations. Platinum Maple leafs are legal tender in Canada; yet they normally sell at much higher prices than their face values, depending on the value of their platinum content.
Canadian Platinum Maple Leaf coins were readily available and quite popular in the late 1990s; yet, as platinum prices increased significantly, investor interest in Platinum Maple Leaf coins dropped drastically. Even though finding current year coins can be difficult, the Platinum Maple Leaf is a great bullion coin option for investors who wish to diversify their portfolio.