2000 Canada: 25 cents Ingenuity - Millennium Series (February)
BU Quality (Brilliant Uncirculated) — Grade: MS-66 GEM +
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 towards 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. Examples in GEM + grade like this one are extremely rare. The offered example, graded MS-66 GEM +, represents an exceptional state of preservation that places it among the very best coins of this issue.
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-66 GEM + grade, the original mint luster is dazzling, of remarkable intensity and perfectly uniform across 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 exceptionally clear.
The Reverse (Ingenuity - An Ideal Society in Four Waves)
The reverse, designed by John Jaciw (initials "JJ"), represents a vision of 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 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, this ability to innovate and create that has enabled the country to develop and prosper. In MS-66 GEM +, all the details of the four waves and the scenes they contain are stunningly sharp, with a full strike to the rims. The "GEM +" quality indicates a coin of remarkable beauty that surpasses the average GEM in its harmonious balance and superior presentation.
Technical Specifications
Condition: MS-66 GEM +
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Luster: The original mint luster is dazzling, of remarkable intensity and perfectly uniform across 100% of the surface.
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Surface: Contact marks are totally absent to the naked eye. The fields are exceptionally clear.
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Strike: Perfectly centered and full strike with all design details (the four waves, scenes of farms, cities, transportation, and the eye towards space) exceptionally sharp.
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Visual Appeal: An MS-66 GEM + grade coin represents an exceptional superior + quality for this commemorative coin from the Millennium series.
