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The Bullion Bank
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$69.84 | +6.15% | $87.30 | View Deal |
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About the 1.25 oz Wildlife Silver Coin
A Uniquely Canadian Format for Silver Stackers
The 1.25 oz Royal Canadian Mint Wildlife Silver Coin occupies a niche that no other mint has attempted. At 38.88 grams of .9999 fine silver, it delivers 25% more metal than a standard 1 oz coin in a package that remains compact enough for easy storage. The format was pioneered by the RCM as part of their specialty bullion programme, and the Wildlife series pairs this unusual weight with rotating designs featuring Canadian animals.
The coin carries an $8 CAD face value (proportionally higher than the $5 face value on the RCM's standard 1 oz Maple Leaf), confirming its legal tender status in Canada. The .9999 purity matches the Silver Maple Leaf and exceeds the .999 standard used by most other sovereign mints, including the US Mint (American Silver Eagle) and the Austrian Mint (Philharmonic). For buyers who want RCM quality with a slightly larger per-coin holding, the 1.25 oz Wildlife is one of very few options available anywhere in the bullion market.
The primary trade-off is liquidity. Because 1.25 oz is non-standard globally, resale outside North America may require explanation to dealers unfamiliar with the product. Within Canada and the United States, recognition is strong thanks to the RCM hallmark and established dealer networks. The coin ships in tubes of 20, and the .9999 purity qualifies it for both US IRA accounts and Canadian RRSP/TFSA accounts.
1.25 oz Wildlife Coin Specifications
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Weight | 1.25 troy oz (38.88 g) |
| Purity | .9999 fine silver |
| Face Value | $8 CAD |
| Issuer | Royal Canadian Mint |
| Edge | Serrated |
| Finish | Brilliant Uncirculated |
| Packaging | Tubes of 20 |
The most common variant encountered on the secondary market is the Bison design, which featured a charging bison on the reverse with "CANADA" and the year of issue. The obverse carries the standard RCM effigy (Queen Elizabeth II on issues through 2022, King Charles III on 2024+ issues). Security features include the micro-laser engraved maple leaf privy mark containing the year of issue, visible only under magnification, which is consistent with other modern RCM bullion products.
The .9999 purity standard is significant for retirement account eligibility across multiple jurisdictions. US IRA regulations require silver to be at least .999 fine, and Canadian RRSP rules require investment-grade purity of at least 99.9%. This coin exceeds both thresholds comfortably, giving it regulatory headroom that some .999 coins lack in edge cases. The serrated edge provides tactile authentication consistent with the broader RCM specialty bullion range and allows quick differentiation from smooth-edged numismatic coins.
Tax Treatment Across Major Markets
As a Canadian legal tender coin struck in .9999 fine silver, the Wildlife 1.25 oz qualifies for favourable tax treatment in several jurisdictions, though the specifics vary significantly by country.
Canada
GST/HST exempt. All investment-grade silver bullion refined to at least 99.9% purity in bar, ingot, coin, or wafer form is zero-rated for GST/HST purposes. The .9999 purity and legal tender status of this coin place it firmly within the exemption. Gains on disposal are subject to capital gains tax at the 50% inclusion rate. The Listed Personal Property rule means that if both the purchase and sale price fall under $1,000 CAD, no gain or loss is reportable.
United States
No federal sales tax. State sales tax varies; approximately 35 states fully exempt bullion from sales tax, while others impose thresholds (California over $2,000, Florida over $500, New York over $1,000). The coin qualifies for Precious Metals IRA inclusion given its .9999 fineness, which exceeds the IRS Section 408(m) minimum of 99.9% for silver. Capital gains on bullion are taxed at the 28% collectibles rate for long-term holdings.
United Kingdom
Silver coins are subject to 20% VAT on purchase regardless of purity or legal tender status (only UK Royal Mint legal tender is VAT-exempt for gold). The Wildlife coin is not CGT-exempt in the UK because it is not UK legal tender. The margin scheme may apply if purchased pre-owned from a UK dealer.
Australia
Investment-grade silver at 99.9%+ purity from recognised mints is GST-free. The RCM Wildlife coin qualifies. Capital gains tax applies with a 50% discount for holdings over 12 months.
1.25 oz Wildlife Silver Coin: frequently asked questions
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The cheapest 1.25oz Wildlife silver coin we track is $87.30 from The Bullion Bank, about 6.2% over the silver spot price. These coins are a completed six-design series from 2011 to 2013, so availability depends on secondary-market supply, and premiums can vary by design and condition.
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The Wildlife series is struck in 999.9 fine silver, the same four-nines standard as the Royal Canadian Mint's Silver Maple Leaf. This means the coin is 99.99% pure silver with minimal base-metal content, meeting investment-grade purity requirements in Canada, the US, and most other markets.
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No. Cleaning silver coins damages the surface luster and removes microscopic metal, which reduces both collector and resale value. The Wildlife series is also known to develop milk spots (a cosmetic defect common to RCM silver products of this era), but attempting to remove them through cleaning typically causes more harm. Store coins in a dry, airtight environment instead.