The Royal Canadian Mint began producing $5 Silver Maple Leaf coins in 1988. One coin has been issued each year containing 1 oz. of .9999 silver.  No other country produces a coin that is purer.

Along with the yearly issues, there have been several different privy marks imprinted to commemorate different events. They are:

Silver Maple singles:

1998 10 oz. $50

1998 Tiger

1998 RCMP

1998 RCM Anniversary

1999 Titanic

1999 Rabbit

1999-2000 Fireworks

2000 Fireworks with date

2000 Dragon

2000 Expo Hanover

2001 Snake

2002 Horse

2003 Sheep

2004 Monkey

2004 D-Day

2004 Desjardins

2005 Rooster

2005 Liberation of the Netherlands

2005 60th Anniversary of the end of the war

2006 Dog

2007 Pig

2007 Fabulous 12

2008 Rat

2008 2010 Olympic

2001, 2003, 2005, 2007 Chinese based coins

2001 - 2007 have a group of coloured maple leafs from different species of maples

Silver sets

A set of holograms including a 1 oz., 1/2 oz, 1/4 oz, 1/10 and 1/20 was produced in 2003.  A similar set without holograms was produced in 2004.

A 12 privy set representing the zodiac was produced in 2004.

A 3 piece Legacy of liberty set that includes the D-day above was produced in 2005.

A few items of note are the y2k and Trudeau privy marks.  These marks were added after being produced by the mint by another private company.  As these are "aftermarket" some believe that they should not be included.

Also, In 2005 a 4 piece coloured set was offered showing the 4 seasons with modes of transportation and in 2006 a 4 piece coloured set was offered with playing card symbols.  According to the Canadian mint, these were aftermarket and not mint authorized.  A 2007 maple with a yellow ribbon to support the troops also falls into the aftermarket category.