Rhodium Editions by the Royal Canadian Mint - 4 Enhanced Maple Leaf Silver Strikes (2023–2026)

Four maple leaves, one precious metal accent: the Royal Canadian Mint's Rhodium Edition

Lustrous black rhodium on pure silver. That's all it takes to turn Canada's most famous symbol into something entirely new. This set brings together four limited-edition Maple Leaf silver coins from the Royal Canadian Mint, spanning the years 2023 to 2026. Each has its own finish and its own surface, united by the black rhodium plating. Together they contain eight troy ounces of fine silver with a fineness of 999.9. The total weight according to product data is 250.12 g.

What's included in the set

• 5 oz Silver Triple Maple 2026: Proof finish, black rhodium accents, face value 50 Canadian dollars, 65.25 mm diameter, mintage of only 1,550 pieces
• 1 oz Silver Elegant Triple Maple Leaf 2026: Matte Proof, black rhodium-plated field, face value 20 dollars, 38 mm, mintage of 7,000 pieces
• 1 oz Silver Black Elegant Maple Leaf 2025: Matte Proof, rhodium and partial gilding, face value 20 dollars, 38 mm, mintage of 5,500 pieces
• 1 oz Silver Maple Leaf Super Incuse 2023: Reverse Proof, rhodium finish, face value 20 dollars, mintage of 8,000 pieces

Triple Maple 2026: light and shadow in two sizes

The centerpiece is the large coin. At 65.25 mm in diameter, the Triple Maple depicts three overlapping sugar maple leaves (Acer saccharum). They are tilted slightly to the right, as if they had just fallen to the ground. The design was created and modeled by Stan Witten, the mint's former Senior Engraver. He came up with the idea in the fall of 2023 while looking at the fallen leaves in his garden in Ottawa: he arranged the leaves, photographed them, drew a sketch, and then modeled the design.

On the 5 oz silver coin, the leaves and the rim are rhodium-plated in black, while the mirrored Proof field remains bright silver. The one-ounce edition reverses this principle. Here, the rhodium forms a satiny black background on both sides, with the leaves standing out in matte silver sheen against it. Placing both coins side by side immediately reveals how sophisticated this interplay of contrast is. The series has existed since 2025, with the black rhodium finish added for the first time in 2026.

Black Elegant Maple Leaf 2025: autumn gold on black

A single gilded maple leaf, based on a design by Donna Kriekle, shines against a black rhodium-plated field. The portrait of King Charles III on the obverse is also partially gilded. The Matte Proof surface lends every detail a calm, refined quality. Only 5,500 pieces exist worldwide, and this edition quickly sold out at the mint.

Maple Leaf Super Incuse 2023: the leaf that goes deep

Here, Walter Ott's classic maple leaf design meets two innovations from the Royal Canadian Mint. The first is the black rhodium plating, introduced in 2020. The second is the Super Incuse minting technique from 2021. Instead of standing in raised relief, the leaf is struck 1.5 mm deep into the coin. The Reverse Proof surface, with its frosted field and polished relief, completes the modern look.

There's a special detail for collectors: the obverse features Queen Elizabeth II with the dual dates 1952–2022. This bridges the change of monarch within the set, from the Queen to King Charles III.

A maple leaf with history

Walter Ott's design first appeared in 1979 on the Gold Maple Leaf. Since 1988, it has also adorned the Silver Maple Leaf, one of the world's most renowned silver coins. The four coins in this set draw on this tradition and reinterpret it. Like all Royal Canadian Mint issues, they carry an official face value in Canadian dollars.

Why rhodium? A rare metal as a finish

Rhodium belongs to the platinum group and is one of the rarest precious metals on Earth. As an ultra-thin layer, it gives silver a rich, dark color and an elegant satin shimmer. Neither a classic patina nor coloring can achieve such a striking contrast.

Who is this set suited for?

1. Maple Leaf collectors who want to build a complete thematic collection of the Royal Canadian Mint's rhodium editions.
2. Enthusiasts of limited-edition silver coins, as the smallest mintage is just 1,550 pieces.
3. Investors with an eye for aesthetics, who value physical silver as a tangible asset while also seeking numismatic character.

Compared to the classic Silver Maple Leaf as a bullion coin, the focus here is not on the lowest price per ounce. Those primarily looking to accumulate weight should opt for the bullion version. Those seeking rarity, elaborate finishing, and Proof quality, however, will find in this edition a collection that is hard to come by a second time. The foundation, nonetheless, remains the silver itself. Gold and silver are among the oldest forms of payment in human history and are still regarded today as a proven hedge against inflation and a means of preserving wealth.

Storage tip: Avoid touching the finished surfaces with bare fingers whenever possible. With cotton gloves and dry, evenly tempered storage, the shine of the Proof, Matte Proof, and Reverse Proof finishes will be preserved for many years.

Four years of issue, three finishes, and one common thread: the Royal Canadian Mint's Rhodium Edition showcases the Canadian maple leaf at its most modern.