Coin Highlights
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Year/Mint: 1990, Royal Canadian Mint (Ottawa).
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Denomination: $5 CAD (legal tender).
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Metal & Weight: 1 troy oz (31.1 g) of .9999 fine silver; reeded edge.
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Size: 38 mm diameter, ~3.29 mm thickness.
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Design: Obv. Queen Elizabeth II by Dora de Pédery-Hunt (first year for this portrait on SML); Rev. single sugar maple leaf by Walter Ott.
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Reported mintage: 1,708,800.
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Grade: Brilliant Uncirculated (BU).
Historical Significance
The Silver Maple Leaf program launched in 1988 as one of the earliest four-nines (.9999) silver bullion coins. The 1990 date marks the portrait transition from Arnold Machin (1988–89) to Dora de Pédery-Hunt (1990–2003), creating a distinct subtype prized by set builders.
