2000 25 cents Liberty/November BU (MS-65) GEM

2000 Canada: 25 Cents Freedom - Millennium Series (November)
BU (Brilliant Uncirculated) Quality — Grade: MS-65 GEM

Coin Description

This commemorative 25-cent coin was issued in November 2000 by the Royal Canadian Mint as part of the Millennium Series. Following the twelve coins of 1999 celebrating Canada's past, the twelve coins of 2000 look to the future. The theme of this coin, "Freedom", symbolizes the fundamental human aspiration for freedom in all its forms.

The design is the work of artist Paul Gauthier (initials "PG"). It depicts stylized man and woman breaking chains and rising towards a rising sun. This powerful design evokes emancipation, liberation from constraints, and the hope of a better future.

The bilingual inscriptions "FREEDOM 2000 LIBERTÉ" surround the motif, with "CANADA" at the bottom. The message is universal and particularly resonant at the dawn of the third millennium.

With a mintage of 34,820,281 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, remarkably intense, and perfectly uniform across the entire surface. Contact marks are completely absent to the naked eye, and even under 10x magnification, only minuscule microscopic imperfections can be detected. The fields are exceptionally clear.

The Reverse (Freedom - Breaking Chains)

The reverse, designed by Paul Gauthier, depicts a scene symbolizing freedom. It shows a stylized man and woman, with arms raised to the sky, breaking chains and rising towards a rising sun on the horizon. This powerful design evokes emancipation, liberation from constraints, and the hope of a better future.

The bilingual inscriptions "FREEDOM 2000 LIBERTÉ" surround the motif, with "CANADA" at the bottom. The artist's initials "PG" appear below the motif.

This universal message resonates particularly as Canada and the world enter a new millennium, bringing hope and freedom.

In MS-65 GEM, all design details (characters, broken chains, sun) are stunningly sharp, with full 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

• Luster: The original mint luster is dazzling, remarkably intense, and perfectly uniform over 100% of the surface.

• Surface: Contact marks are totally absent to the naked eye. The fields are impeccably clear, without any visual distractions.

• Strike: Perfectly centered and complete strike with all design details (characters, broken chains, sun, inscriptions) exceptionally sharp.

• Visual Appeal: An MS-65 GEM grade coin represents an exceptionally high quality for this commemorative coin from the Millennium Series.