Canadian maple leaf

The American Silver Eagle is the most popular current production in the United States.

The United States Mint started production of Silver American Eagles in 1986.

This one troy ounce (31.1 grams) substantial silver coin has a face value of one dollar and contains one troy ounce of .999 (three-nines) pure silver.

Authorized by the U.S. Congress and approved by President Ronald Reagan, the American Silver Eagle bullion coin is approved for Self-Directed Individual Retirement (IRA) Accounts 

Canadian maple leaf

The Silver American Eagle is also minted as a PROOF coin for collectors. Over the years the coins have been produced at three United States mints. The Philadelphia mint, which produced only "business strike" or standard issue coins. The San Francisco and West Point, New York mints both have minted PROOF coins as well as business strikes.

Many believe the design was inspired by the Gold "Saint-Gaudens" twenty dollar gold piece minted between 1907 and 1933. The design on the obverse (front of the coin) was taken from the classic "Walking Liberty" design, which had originally been used on the half-dollar coin of the United States from 1916 to 1947. This classic design was revived almost 40 years after being discontinued in 1948 on the silver half-dollar for the Ben Franklin's profile. Needless to say Ben's mug was considered only briefly when a new design was being developed for the launch of the new American made bullion coin made with ONLY American mined silver.

As this beautiful design was and is now a public favorite. The reverse portrays a heraldic American eagle.

Silver Canadian Maple Leafs

Minted by Canadian National Mint, the one troy ounce $5 Maple Leaf is one of the world’s most popular silver coins for investors. The production of Canadian "Maples" began in late1988 and immediately became an investor favorite. The Brilliant Uncirculated silver coin is known for its stunningly attractive design. A profile of long-reigning Queen Elizabeth II, in her younger days, graces the obverse (aka "The front of the coin"). The coin is remarkable for its proof-like reverse, mirror effects and a satin-finish background. Minted in pure 99.99% fine silver, each coin contains precisely 1 troy ounce (31.1 grams) of pure silver and is eligible for Self-Directed Individual USA Retirement Accounts (IRA's)

Since 1931 the Royal Canadian Mint ("Monnaie Royale Canadienne" to the French-Canadians) has minted coins independent of Great Britain. Prior to that, a branch of England's Royal mint had produced coins in a minting facility in Ottawa. Before 1901 all Canadian coins for general monetary circulation were produced in Great Britain but due to the increased Canadian population and subsequent demand the production was transferred to North America.

The Royal Canadian Mint is the world’s only mint to issue commemorative coins in a .9999 (Four-Nines) fineness. The cost of Canadian Silver Maple Leafs is generally less than American Gold American Eagles by fifty cents to a buck. The Canadian Silver Maple leafs come 25 coins to the tube with 20 tubes in a case. (Some "marketing genius" came up with the term "Monster Box" to describe 500 coin case lots of Canadian and American silver coins back in the 90's)