In combining the beauty and simplicity of the Swarovski crystal with its unique colorization process, the mint has produced a marriage made in heaven - and the first Canadian coin of its kind! Here we find a solitary maple leaf, caught at the precise moment when a lone raindrop, tugged by gravity, begins its descent to the forest floor.

So powerful is the association between the maple leaf and Canada that you might be be surprised to learn that of the 115 species of maple trees in the world, only ten occur naturally in Canada! From the fresh new growth of spring to their ultimate expression of vibrant fall hues, the leaves of the maple enrich the Canadian landscape from coast to coast. In summer, they form a dense canopy that shields against the summer sun, as well as unexpected rain showers.

When the clouds clear, the leaves shine with renewed vibrancy, their wet surfaces reflecting maximum light from the sun. But this moment of heightened beauty is short-lived. As each leaf bends under the weight of the moisture, water collects at its lowest point and begins to form a water droplet.

The droplet is dynamic. It continues to grow until the leaf can no longer support its weight. The leaf curves forward, and for a fleeting moment a tear-shaped drop of water hangs between heaven and earth before falling to the ground - a tiny echo of the life-giving rain that passed a few moments earlier.

This is the eighth (and lowest mintage) in the series of annual Color Silver Maple Leafs.

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Investment Notes
Stunning in its artistry, beauty and simplicity, this new pure silver proof in the Color Silver Maple Leaf Series ups the ante with a few twists. These upgrades to this most popular of annual programs include:

1)  The lowest mintage limit ever (15,000) for a Color Silver Maple Leaf!
2)  Proof finish! All the others in the Color Silver Maple Leafs Series feature the specimen finish. In fact, this is only the 2nd proof-finish SML ever (after the 1989 proof SML).
3)  A new, much higher denomination! All previous entries in this series have a $5 face value, while the Crystal Raindrop Color SML has a $20 face value.
4)  A genuine Swarovski crystal! Not only is this the first color SML in the series to feature a crystal, it's the first Royal Canadian Mint coin ever to combine a crystal with color!

Taken together, these upgrades create the most unique coin in the series - and a work of unparalleled gorgeousness! We believe that this coin presents an entry-level investment opportunity in a relatively low-priced proof. A quick sell out is expected.

For more information about Swarovski crystals of Austria, please see the presentation at the end of this article.

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Technology Note
The Royal Canadian Mint leads the world with its proprietary colorization technology, in which the color is actually sealed on the coin. The intricate detail, smooth gradients, and extreme precision of the technology create a stunning look on each coin.

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Purity Note
The Royal Canadian Mint refines the purest silver in the world. This one ounce silver coin is 99.99% pure!

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Obverse
A beautiful, full-color image of a single green maple leaf, yielding to the weight of a raindrop, represented by a genuine Swarovski crystal. The date and denomination are both indicated.

Reverse
A cameo proof portrait of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of England, in profile facing right. This portrait, the fourth effigy of the queen to appear on Canadian coinage, was executed by the artist Susanna Blunt. The legend ELIZABETH II D. G. REGINA ("Elizabeth II, Queen by the Grace of God") and mint mark also appear.

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Packaging
The coin is encapsulated inside a burgundy leatherette, clamshell-style presentation case, lined with black velvet and protected by a black outer box. An individually-numbered certificate of authenticity is included.

Specifications

Swarovski Crystal
Swarovski is the luxury brand name for the range of precision-cut crystal glass products produced by the privately-owned company Swarovski AG of Feldmeilen, Austria (near Zürich, Switzerland). Swarovski crystal was born when a Bohemian, Daniel Swarovski, invented an automatic cutting machine in 1892. In 1895 the Swarovski company was founded when he established a crystal cutting factory in Wattens (near Innsbruck, Tyrol, Austria). Here he could take advantage of local hydroelectricity for the energy-intensive grinding processes he had patented.

Swarovski crystal contains approximately 32% lead to maximize refraction. The Swarovski Crystal firm produces a wide range range of products, but is world-renowned for the incredible quality and brilliance of its crystal jewelry.

In order to create a crystal that allows light to refract in a rainbow spectrum, Swarovski coats some of its crystals with special metallic chemical coatings. For example, Aurora Borealis, or "AB", is one of the most popular coatings, and gives the surface a rainbow oil slick appearance. Recent developments include the 2004 release of a new, patented cut, Xilion, designed to optimize the brilliance of roses (crystal components with flat backs) and chatons (diamond-cut crystals).