Thursday, 29th May 2008 (773 views)

The world's largest gold coin - a Canadian Maple Leaf made from 99.999 per cent pure gold - has gone on display for the first time at the Museum of Art History and Fine Arts in Vienna, according to reports.

The Daily Mail said the coin, which weighs over 100 kilograms and is worth more than £1 million, drew gasps from some members of the public when it was unveiled at a special ceremony.

Originally struck in Canada by the Royal Canadian Mint, the coin is on permanent loan to the museum from an Austrian company that according to the newspaper boasts an "extensive coin collection".

The unveiling was presided over by Canada's ambassador to Austria Marie Gervais-Vidricaire and the company's chief executive Wolfgang Auer von Welsbach.

Only five coins with similar gold purity are thought to be in existence, the publication added, making the Canadian Maple Leaf one of the purest in the bullion market.

The Royal Canadian Mint is based in Ottawa. It has been striking currency and commemorative coins for the domestic and international market since 1908.

 

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