This is one of the rarest, most expensive and spectacular Canadian mint error coins known. This proof gold off-metal mint error was certified and authenticated by PCGS. It was struck on a $50 Gold Planchet weighing 31.1 grams that was intended for a 1 oz Maple Leaf gold coin. It was unknown to the numismatic community prior to being certified by PCGS. It is the size of a U.S. Silver American Eagle and is in superb proof cameo condition. The diameter of a regular 1 oz Maple Leaf gold coin is 30mm and it has a thickness of 2.8mm. This gold off-metal mint error expanded to a diameter of 40mm when it was struck.

The International Olympic Committee decided to commemorate the centennial of the Olympic Games. In 1992 the Spirit of the Generations proof silver coin was issued by the Royal Canadian Mint and released in a special presentation box. These were struck with CITIUS ALTIUS FORTIUS on the edge.

For comparison, there are two known smaller Canadian Dollars struck in gold by the Royal Canadian Mint. These two were special gold strikings of silver commemorative coins and were sold on eBay by the Royal Canadian Mint. They were the size of a Kennedy Half Dollar and sold for approximately $50,000 and $75,000 (U.S. Dollars).

Also for comparison, there is one known 1992 Canadian $15 proof commemorative coin authenticated and certified by NGC as a Gold Off-Metal Strike of the same Spirit of the Generations commemorative issue. The NGC gold off-metal strike was featured on the cover of Issue 35 of Mint Error News Magazine and also featured in an article in Coin Week.

This 1992 $15 unique Canadian mint error is twice the size of the two special gold strikings that sold on eBay. This proof gold off-metal rivals any U.S. mint error coin. For comparison purposes, several U.S. Indian Head Cents struck in gold on $2 1/2 Dollar blanks and certified by PCGS and NGC as mint errors have sold in public auctions from approximately $275,000, $250,000, $140,000 and $100,000. This amazing gold off-metal would be the centerpiece of any collection of Canadian mint error coins or commemorative issues.



For comparison, here is the regular issue in silver (left) and a 1 oz Maple Leaf gold coin (right). The silver issue has a diameter of 40mm, and the 1 oz Maple Leaf gold coin has a diameter of 30mm. The above image shows the dramatic size difference. The size of every off-metal mint error expands in diameter when it is struck, usually by a small percentage. In this case, the Maple Leaf gold planchet expanded 25% from a diameter of 30mm to a diameter of 40mm. The die pressure caused the soft metal of the gold planchet to expand in the collar to the full diameter of the regular silver issue.