The first Gold Canadian Coins were formally minted in 1979. This year marked the beginning of Gold Maple Leaf Coins production by the Royal Canadian Mint. The history of the Gold Canadian Coins goes back much further than this, though, and starts with the adoption of a gold standard in 1853. This introduced the possibility of a gold-based currency thanks to the reserves backing Canada’s economy. The Klondike gold rush at the end of the 19th century gave Canada the wealth of gold necessary to make this consideration a reality. The Canadian Mint was created in 1901, and Gold Maple Leaf Coins were introduced a few decades later.