The first gold coins produced by the Canadian Mint were the Sovereigns from 1908-1919. They were identical in appearance to the British Sovereigns, the only difference being a small "c" placed as the mintmark.

 

The Sovereigns were .917 fine gold and weighed about 8 grams. The bust of Edward VII appeared from 1908-10. The bust of George V appeared on the 1911-19 coins.

 

From 1912 through 1914, the Ottawa Mint produced $5 and $10 gold coins, also with the bust of George V. These were a .900 fineness.

 

Gold coins then disappeared until 1979 when the Maple Leaf gold coin was introduced. From 1979-81 only the one ounce Maple Leaf was produced with a face value of $50. In 1982 production of a 1/10 and 1/4 Maple Leaf began. In 1986, a Half Maple Leaf came into production.