The million dollar Canadian gold coin
By thecanadiannumismatist | Tuesday, 7 June 2022
In 2007, the Royal Canadian Mint produced the world's first million dollar coin. The 100 kg, 99999 pure gold bullion coin with a $1 million face value was originally conceived as a unique showpiece to promote the Mint's new line of 99999 pure 1 oz Gold Maple Leaf bullion coins.
The Mint decided to make a very limited quantity available for sale: five gold bullion coins, weighing 3,215 troy ounces each, have been purchased by investors from Canada and abroad.
In October 2007, the Million Dollar Coin was certified by Guinness World Records to be the world's largest gold coin.
The reverse features a maple leaf design by Royal Canadian Mint artist and senior engraver Stan Witten, and the obverse bears the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by celebrated Canadian portrait artist Susanna Blunt.
Today, this coin is worth up to $7,500,000 bullion value.
In 2017, 1 of the 5 examples produced was stolen at the German capital's Bode Museum in Berlin. It was in the museum since 2010.
Spokesman Stefen Petersen said the thieves apparently entered through a window, broke into a cabinet where the coin was kept, and escaped with it before police arrived. A ladder was found by nearby railway tracks.
In July 2017, German special police units raided several homes in Berlin. Heavily-armed masked police arrested at least two suspects, one wearing a hood over his head.
Two brothers and their cousin, identified in German media as 24-year-old Wayci Remmo, 20-year-old Ahmed Remmo and 22-year-old Wissam Remmo, and 20-year-old Dennis W., who worked as a security guard at the museum, were accused of stealing the coin and went on trial in Germany early 2019. They were all convicted and sentenced to several years in prison.
They are suspected of cutting up and melted down the coin.
Specifications
- Face value: $1,000,000
- Composition: 99999 fine gold
- Weight: 100 kg (3215 troy oz.)
- Thickness: 3 cm
- Diameter: 53 cm
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