Canadian Maple Leaf 1/4 oz Platinum 1988

""Maple is a common tree in eastern Canada. There is also a red variety of it whose leaves, when ripe, take on a deep maroon-red colour. Maple was of enormous economic importance to the Indians. They discovered that the incised trunk of the maple tree gave off a sap - a transparent liquid with a slightly yellowish hue and a faintly sweet taste. This sap, suitably concentrated, becomes maple syrup.For Indians and colonists, maple syrup was the only source of carbohydrates during the long and harsh Canadian winters. Thus, the maple also became a symbol of survival. The maple leaf was first used as a symbol as early as 1834."""The official colours of Canada are white and red.

The Canadian Maple Leaf, is one of the most recognisable bullion coins in the world. It was first minted in 1988 at the Royal Canadian Mint - a renowned and well-known Canadian mint among investors that offers investment in precious metals through a product that can easily be resold later at a profit. The currency is distinguished by its high liquidity in the event of a desire to buy/sell and its particularly admired image on the reverse. The Royal Canadian Mint was officially opened in 1908 by Governor General Earl Grey, minting the first fifty-cent coin produced on Canadian soil. After the coin began to be issued, the only competitor to the coin was the South African Krugerrand, but due to the apartheid boycott, this was not available to the general public. This made the maple leaf gold coins very popular.This coin is an ideal alternative to traditional gold and silver due to the fact that the annual production of this raw material is only 160 tonnes, meaning that at the moment, demand is far ahead of supply. In addition, platinum is a much more durable raw material than gold or silver, which means that coins held for investment purposes will remain completely intact for longer. It is interesting to note that ''the largest producer of platinum in the world is South Africa, where 140 000 kg of this raw material was mined in 2009. The world's second largest producer in mining production is Russia with 20 000 kg in 2009.""

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The obverse shows the likeness of Queen Elizabeth II, the denomination ($10) and the date of issue.

The reverse of the coin shows a maple leaf, which is the national symbol of Canada, as well as the minting grade (Pt .9995) and the name of the country (Canada) in which the coin is produced.

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