MORE ON THE BIG MAPLE LEAF COIN
The E-Sylum (12/27/2020)
Book Content
MORE ON THE BIG MAPLE LEAF COIN
John Regitko ofToronto, Canada submitted these notes and photos about the Big Maple Leaf coin. Thanks!-Editor
In the last E-Sylum, you included an item about Canada's $1 million coin. Here are the statistics:
• 100 kilogram; .99999 gold maple leaf $1 million bullion coin
• World's largest and highest denomination coin ever created at the time, weighing in a 220.5 pounds, 21 inches in diameter, and boasting an unprecedented purity rating of .99999 gold bullion.
• More than $2.1 million in pure gold, it was the most valuable coin ever offered in an online-only auction.
When my wife and I visited the Royal Canadian Mint in Ottawa, I snapped a photo of her beside the coin. This gives you perspective of its actual size (Monina is 5'4"). You will note that two security guards were watching me in case I tried to run away with the coin.
In case anyone is wondering why they would produce such a huge coin, I suspect it was out of concern that when I showed up at the Mint, it would not be necessary to "tie down" all valuables.
Although the RCM never acknowledged the reason for the additional security, I think it was because on a previous visit, I tried to walk away with a gold bar worth $600,000 melt value at the time, so they wanted something heavier when I showed up again. My mistake was asking Alex Reeves, RCM Communications Manager, to help carry it out (the evidence is in the photo snapped by a security guard). It weighed 406.55 troy ounces, or nearly 28 pounds. What I didn't realize is that it was fastened down with a metal wire (as can be seen in the photo), I assume due to my impending visit.
To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
LOOSE CHANGE: DECEMBER 20, 2020 : Berlin Police Raids in Big Maple Leaf Theft(https://www.coinbooks.org/v23/esylum_v23n51a35.html)
