Both are well-known 1 oz silver coins from respected government mints. Neither is simply “better”. They differ in a few ways that matter to a UK buyer.
At a glance
- Silver Britannia: struck by the Royal Mint, 0.999 fine today, £2 face value, first struck in 1997.
- Silver Maple Leaf: struck by the Royal Canadian Mint, 0.9999 fine, $5 CAD face value, first struck in 1988.
Read the full guides: Silver Britannia and Silver Maple Leaf.
Purity
The Maple Leaf is slightly purer on paper, but both hold one troy ounce of fine silver. For pricing, the metal value is the same, so purity alone doesn’t change what a fair premium is.
Tax
The Britannia is sterling legal tender, which UK rules often treat differently for Capital Gains Tax. The Maple Leaf is a foreign coin, which may be treated differently. Both normally carry 20% VAT when bought from a UK dealer. Check HMRC’s current guidance, because this is general information and not tax advice.
Premium
The calculator uses the same limits for both: up to 8% over spot is a good price and up to 12% is fair. Which one is cheaper on a given day depends on the dealer and on demand, so compare quotes for both.
Which should you choose?
- If you want a UK coin that’s easy to recognise at home, the Britannia is a natural fit.
- If you want the slightly higher purity and a design that’s recognised worldwide, look at the Maple Leaf.
- Either way, compare the all-in cost including VAT and delivery, and check what the dealer would pay to buy it back.
Not financial advice. See the terms.