2000 Canada: 25 Cents Ingenuity - Millennium Series (February)
BU (Brilliant Uncirculated) Quality — Grade: MS-63 CHOICE
Coin Description
This commemorative 25-cent coin was issued on February 4, 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, "Ingenuity", highlights the spirit of innovation and creativity that characterizes Canada.
The design, by artist John Jaciw of Windsor, Ontario, was chosen from over 33,000 submissions in a national competition. Jaciw, who worked for 30 years as a packaging designer, brought a unique vision to this coin. Born in Ukraine, he immigrated to Canada in 1949.
With a mintage of 35,812,988 copies, this coin is now sought after by collectors of the Millennium series. The presented example, graded MS-63 Choice, offers remarkable preservation with superior visual appeal.
The Obverse (Effigy of Queen Elizabeth II)
The obverse features the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Canadian artist Dora de Pédery-Hunt. This is the first royal effigy designed by a Canadian artist, used on coins from 1990 to 2003. The legend "ELIZABETH II D • G • REGINA" surrounds the royal bust, with the value "25 CENTS" at the bottom.
For an MS-63 Choice grade, the original mint luster is well present, intense and uniform across almost the entire surface. Contact marks are minimal and barely visible to the naked eye.
The Reverse (Ingenuity - An Ideal Society in Four Waves)
The reverse, designed by John Jaciw (initials "JJ"), depicts a vision of an ideal society organized into four waves (crescents):
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Prosperous farms symbolizing flourishing agriculture
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Innovative cities representing urban progress
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Fast and safe transportation evoking mobility and connectivity
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An eye turned towards space symbolizing exploration and future technologies
The bilingual inscriptions "INGENUITY 2000 INGÉNIOSITÉ" and the mention "CANADA" complete the reverse.
This unique design celebrates the Canadian spirit of innovation, the ability to innovate and create that has enabled the country to develop and prosper. In MS-63 Choice, all details of the four waves and the scenes they contain are perfectly sharp and well struck, with no wear.
Technical Specifications
Condition: MS-63 CHOICE
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Luster: The original mint luster is well present, intense and uniform across almost the entire surface.
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Surface: Contact marks are minimal and few. A very slight impact or a fine scratch may be observed, but nothing visually distracting. The coin is uncirculated.
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Strike: Full strike with all design details (the four waves, scenes of farms, cities, transportation, and the eye to space) perfectly sharp and well-defined.
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Visual Appeal: An MS-63 Choice graded coin offers an excellent balance between quality and value. The "Choice" designation indicates a coin that stands out with its above-average presentation for MS-63.
