2000 Canada: 25 cents Celebration - Millennium Series (July)
Quality BU (Brilliant Uncirculated) — Grade: MS-65 GEM
Coin Description
This commemorative 25-cent coin was issued in July 2000 by the Royal Canadian Mint as part of the Millennium series. Following the twelve coins of 1999 that celebrated Canada's past, the twelve coins of 2000 look to the future. The theme of this coin, "Celebration", captures the festive spirit of Canada Day and the excitement surrounding the entry into the new millennium.
The design is the work of artist Laura Paxton (initials "LP"). It depicts a cheering crowd under fireworks, waving Canadian flags. Children, the future of the country, are particularly highlighted, symbolizing hope and national continuity. The bilingual inscriptions " CELEBRATION 2000 CÉLÉBRATION " surround the design, with " CANADA " at the bottom.
With a mintage of 34,816,329 copies, this coin is now sought after by collectors of the Millennium series. Examples in GEM grade like this one are very rare. The offered example, graded MS-65 GEM, represents an exceptional state of preservation with remarkable visual appeal.
The Obverse (Effigy of Queen Elizabeth II)
The obverse features the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by artist Arnold Machin. This portrait, known as the "young bust", shows the Queen wearing a circular diamond crown adorned with roses, shamrocks, and thistles, symbolizing the nations of the United Kingdom. The legend "ELIZABETH II D • G • REGINA" surrounds the royal bust, with the denomination "25 CENTS" at the bottom.
For an MS-65 GEM grade, the original mint luster is dazzling, of remarkable intensity and perfectly uniform over the entire surface. Contact marks are totally absent to the naked eye, and even under 10x magnification, only tiny microscopic imperfections can be detected. The fields are of exceptional clarity.
The Reverse (Celebration - Fireworks and Flags)
The reverse, designed by Laura Paxton, depicts a scene of patriotic celebration. It shows a joyous crowd, including children, waving Canadian flags under a brilliant fireworks display. This dynamic design captures the energy and optimism of Canada Day at the dawn of the 21st century. The bilingual inscriptions " CELEBRATION 2000 CÉLÉBRATION " surround the design, with " CANADA " at the bottom.
This design celebrates national pride, unity, and the Canadian joy of life. In MS-65 GEM, all details of the fireworks, characters, and flags are stunningly sharp, with a full-rim strike. The "GEM" quality indicates a coin of exceptional beauty that stands out significantly from lower grades due to its perfect balance and impeccable presentation.
Technical Specifications
Condition: MS-65 GEM
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Luster: The original mint luster is dazzling, of remarkable intensity and perfectly uniform over 100% of the surface.
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Surface: Contact marks are totally absent to the naked eye. The fields are impeccably clear, without any visual distractions.
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Strike: Perfectly centered and full strike with all design details (fireworks, characters, flags, inscriptions) exceptionally sharp.
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Visual Appeal: An MS-65 GEM grade coin represents superior exceptional quality for this commemorative coin from the Millennium series.
