2000 Canada: 25 cents Natural Legacy - Millennium Series (May)
Quality BU (Brilliant Uncirculated) — Grade: MS-67 SUPERB GEM +
Coin Description
This commemorative 25-cent coin was issued in May 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, "Natural Legacy", symbolizes the importance of preserving the environment: clean air, fresh water, healthy wildlife, and flourishing forests.
The design is the work of artist Randy Trantau (initials "RT"). It depicts a natural landscape with a tree, clouds, and a fish, symbolizing the natural heritage Canada wishes to bequeath to future generations.
With a mintage of 36,416,953 copies, this coin is now sought after by collectors of the Millennium Series. Examples in SUPERB GEM + grade like this one are cosmically rare. The offered example, graded MS-67 SUPERB GEM +, represents an exceptional state of preservation that places it among the very best coins of this issue, probably unique.
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 value "25 CENTS" at the bottom.
For an MS-67 SUPERB GEM + grade, the original mint luster is dazzling, of remarkable intensity and perfectly uniform across the entire surface. Contact marks are completely absent to the naked eye, and even under 10x magnification, imperfections are so minor they are virtually undetectable. The fields are exceptionally clear.
The Reverse (Natural Heritage - Canadian Landscape)
The reverse, designed by Randy Trantau, depicts a natural landscape symbolizing Canada's environmental heritage. It features a tree, clouds, and a fish, evoking the beauty of Canada's forests, lakes, and rich wildlife. The bilingual inscriptions "NATURAL LEGACY 2000 PATRIMOINE NATUREL" surround the design, with "CANADA" at the bottom.
This design celebrates the environment and the need to preserve natural treasures for future generations. In MS-67 SUPERB GEM +, all the details of the landscape (tree, clouds, fish) are stunningly sharp, with a full-strike. The "SUPERB GEM +" quality indicates a coin of exceptional beauty that stands out significantly from lower grades, with an impeccable presentation and an almost complete absence of marks.
Technical Specifications
Condition: MS-67 SUPERB 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 completely absent to the naked eye. The fields are exceptionally clear.
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Strike: Perfectly centered and full strike with all design details (tree, clouds, fish, inscriptions) exceptionally sharp.
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Visual Appeal: An MS-67 SUPERB GEM + grade coin represents exceptional quality for this commemorative coin from the Millennium Series, an extremely rare grade.
