The Royal Canadian Mint's Maple Leaf bullion program, launched in 1979, pioneered the .9999 fine gold standard at a time when most sovereign bullion coins — including the Krugerrand — were alloyed to improve durability. Solomon Islands has issued a range of fractional gold pieces under licensing arrangements that attach foreign iconic designs to a Pacific sovereign authority, allowing distribution outside Canada's own bullion framework.
The Royal Canadian Mint's Maple Leaf bullion program, launched in 1979, pioneered the .9999 fine gold standard at a time when most sovereign bullion coins — including the Krugerrand — were alloyed to improve durability. Solomon Islands has issued a range of fractional gold pieces under licensing arrangements that attach foreign iconic designs to a Pacific sovereign authority, allowing distribution outside Canada's own bullion framework.