Canadian Gold Maple Leaf vs American Gold Eagle: Which Coin Should You Buy?
Canadian Gold Maple Leaf
Royal Canadian Mint since 1979. Purity .9999 fine gold — 99.99% pure, one of the highest of any mass-produced coin. Available 1oz down to 1/20oz. Security features: radial line background under magnification, micro-engraved laser mark. Tax advantage: exempt from CGT in UK for legal tender coins.
American Gold Eagle
US Mint since 1986. Purity .9167 fine — 22 karat, alloyed with silver and copper for durability. Contains exactly 1 troy ounce of gold regardless. More scratch-resistant than Maple Leaf. Augustus Saint-Gaudens Lady Liberty design. Exempt from IRS reporting requirements for most standard transactions.
Which to Buy
- UK and European buyers: Canadian Maple Leaf — CGT exemption is meaningful advantage.
- US buyers: Either works. Eagles carry slightly higher premiums but reporting exemption and domestic familiarity are advantages.
- Pure bullion efficiency: Maple Leaf — .9999 purity and typically slightly lower premiums.
Both are available at SilverGoldBull. Related: gold bars vs coins, beginner's guide, how to store coins safely.
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