A 1 oz Gold Maple Leaf contains one troy ounce of gold, and because the coin is 99.99% pure it weighs only 31.11 g. The Royal Canadian Mint lists every size as 99.99% pure gold, so for the Maple Leaf the total weight and the gold weight are almost the same number.
All five sizes
| Size | Face value | Weight | Diameter | Fine gold (troy oz) | Fine gold (grams) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 oz | CAD 50 | 31.11 g | 30.0 mm | 1.0000 | 31.103 |
| 1/2 oz | CAD 20 | 15.55 g | 25.0 mm | 0.5000 | 15.552 |
| 1/4 oz | CAD 10 | 7.77 g | 20.0 mm | 0.2500 | 7.776 |
| 1/10 oz | CAD 5 | 3.11 g | 16.0 mm | 0.1000 | 3.110 |
| 1/20 oz | CAD 1 | 1.55 g | 14.1 mm | 0.0500 | 1.555 |
Weight, diameter and composition are from the Royal Canadian Mint’s listing for the 2023 coin. The fine-gold columns are arithmetic: one troy ounce is 31.1035 g.
Why 31.11 g and not 31.10 g
A coin that is 99.99% gold needs a hair more than 31.1035 g to hold exactly one troy ounce of gold: 31.1035 ÷ 0.9999 = 31.1066 g. The Mint lists 31.11 g, which is that figure rounded. The 0.0065 g difference is the 0.01% that is not gold. Compare the 22-karat coins, where the difference between gold and total weight is almost three grams (see the Gold Eagle).
What the Mint says about the series
The Royal Canadian Mint states that more than 25 million troy ounces of Gold Maple Leafs have been sold since their introduction in 1979, and that the Gold Maple Leaf was the first bullion coin to reach 99.99% purity. Coins of 2023 add radial lines, a micro-engraved maple leaf and Bullion DNA, an anti-counterfeiting technology the Mint co-developed. Our Maple Leaf guide covers the series in more depth.
Softness is the trade-off
Gold of 99.99% purity is soft, so a Maple Leaf marks more easily than a 22-karat coin of the same size. That does not change the gold content, but it is a reason bullion coins are usually kept in their capsules, and a reason scratches on a coin you are buying deserve a look. Our guide to fine gold versus alloyed gold compares the two approaches.
Work out your own
Gold value = fine troy ounces × the price you type × number of coins. It is the metal only, not what a dealer pays or charges.
Frequently asked questions about gold in a Maple Leaf
Is the Gold Maple Leaf pure gold?
Almost: the Royal Canadian Mint lists it as 99.99% pure.
Why does a 1 oz Maple Leaf weigh 31.11 g?
Because 31.1035 g of gold is 99.99% of 31.1066 g, which the Mint rounds to 31.11 g.
Is there a smaller Maple Leaf than 1/10 oz?
Yes. The Mint lists a 1/20 oz coin, 1.55 g and 14.1 mm.
Other coins
The same question for other popular gold coins:
- How Much Gold Is in a $20 Double Eagle?
- How Much Gold Is in a Gold Britannia?
- How Much Gold Is in a Krugerrand?
- How Much Gold Is in a Vienna Philharmonic?
- How Much Gold Is in an American Gold Eagle?
For any coin, the content chart lists weight, fineness and sources, and the melt value calculator covers 27 coins at once.
Gold Coins Today publishes general information about coin collecting and precious metals, not financial, investment, tax or legal advice. Articles on this site are drafted with AI assistance (see our editorial policy) and are not written or reviewed by certified numismatists, appraisers, financial advisors or dealers. Coin and bullion values change constantly and depend on condition, authenticity and the current market — get a current appraisal or spot price from a qualified, reputable source before buying or selling, and consult a licensed financial advisor before treating precious metals as part of an investment strategy.