THE SHORT ANSWER
Five standard sizes trade purchase size against cost per fine ounce
The standard 2026 Gold Maple Leaf family runs from one fine troy ounce to one-twentieth ounce. Every listed size is 99.99% pure gold, but the smallest coin is not automatically the cheapest gold: compare total checkout cost and an executable resale bid per fine ounce before paying for fractional flexibility.
31.11 g minimum weight.
1.55 g minimum weight.
Shared across the listed family.
Normalizes different sizes.
OFFICIAL SIZE TABLE
Keep fine-gold content, minimum weight and denomination separate
| Named size | Fine gold | Minimum weight | Diameter | Face value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 oz | 1 oz | 31.11 g | 30 mm | C$50 |
| 1/2 oz | 0.5 oz | 15.55 g | 25 mm | C$20 |
| 1/4 oz | 0.25 oz | 7.77 g | 20 mm | C$10 |
| 1/10 oz | 0.1 oz | 3.11 g | 16 mm | C$5 |
| 1/20 oz | 0.05 oz | 1.55 g | 14.1 mm | C$1 |
Face value identifies legal denomination; it is not the ordinary bullion value. Minimum weight and diameter help screen a coin against the correct product record, but the Mint does not publish a simple consumer tolerance that would turn one measurement into an authentication verdict.
UNIT RECONCILIATION
Why the displayed gram weight does not exactly equal the troy conversion
| Size | Exact fine-gold conversion | Published minimum | Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 oz | 31.1034768 g | 31.11 g | Value from 1 fine oz; screen from product record |
| 1/2 oz | 15.5517384 g | 15.55 g | Rounded public fields answer different questions |
| 1/4 oz | 7.7758692 g | 7.77 g | Do not invent precision beyond the source |
| 1/10 oz | 3.11034768 g | 3.11 g | Use stated fine ounces for melt value |
| 1/20 oz | 1.55517384 g | 1.55 g | Use year-specific specs for screening |
Public product specifications are rounded and the Mint labels the weight as a minimum. The differences above are not evidence of missing gold and must not be converted into an invented production tolerance. A real specimen needs calibrated equipment, the correct issue record and an appropriate non-destructive verification path.
BUYER DECISION
Fractional flexibility has a price and an operational benefit
Fewer pieces to store, inspect and record.
Sell less than one ounce without dividing a product.
Small fabrication does not imply one universal markup.
Recognition is useful only when a buyer makes an offer.
Compare all-in acquisition cost divided by total fine ounces. Then compare net resale proceeds divided by the same fine ounces. Ten one-tenth-ounce coins and one one-ounce coin contain equal gold, but they can have different premiums, storage friction, verification time and fixed selling costs.
SECURITY SCOPE
Do not copy the one-ounce security claim onto every fractional issue
The current 2026 one-ounce page describes radial lines, a micro-engraved maple leaf and Bullion DNA eligibility. The Mint's 2024 one-ounce product sheet separately stated that its listed fractional sizes did not feature Bullion DNA. That statement is evidence for the documented issue, not a timeless promise about every fractional product.
For a fractional coin, confirm year, size and finish first, then ask what the Mint or a registered dealer can verify for that exact product. Absence of an inapplicable security feature is not proof of a counterfeit; presence of a copied visual feature is not proof of authenticity.
PRIMARY SOURCES
Royal Canadian Mint product and security records
- Royal Canadian Mint 2026 Gold Maple Leaf page for current standard sizes, minimum weights, diameters, face values and one-ounce security.
- Royal Canadian Mint 2024 product sheet for the explicit year-specific fractional Bullion DNA boundary.
- Royal Canadian Mint Bullion DNA overview for the registered authentication system.
FAQ
Gold Maple Leaf size questions
What sizes do Gold Maple Leaf coins come in?
The Royal Canadian Mint's current standard bullion family lists one ounce, one-half ounce, one-quarter ounce, one-tenth ounce and one-twentieth ounce. Special and collector products can use other weights, so identify the exact issue before applying this table.
Does a one-ounce Gold Maple Leaf weigh exactly 31.1035 grams?
One troy ounce converts to exactly 31.1034768 grams, while the Mint publishes a 31.11-gram minimum product weight for the one-ounce coin. Use one fine troy ounce for metal value and the official minimum weight for product screening.
Which Gold Maple Leaf size has the lowest premium?
No size always has the lowest retail premium. Larger coins often cost less per fine ounce, but only a same-time all-in ask and executable buyback bid can establish the better transaction.
Do fractional Gold Maple Leafs have Bullion DNA?
The Mint's 2024 product sheet explicitly said the listed fractional sizes did not feature Bullion DNA, while the current 2026 page describes the three-feature package for the one-ounce coin. Treat security scope as issue-specific and verify the exact year and size with current Mint documentation or a registered dealer.