2000 Canada: 25 Cents Achievement - Millennium Series (March)
BU (Brilliant Uncirculated) Quality — Grade: MS-64 CHOICE +
Coin Description
This commemorative 25-cent coin was issued in March 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, "Achievement," honors great human accomplishments, with a particular reference to space conquest.
The design is the work of artist Daryl Ann Dorosz (initials "DD"). This design symbolizes the ingenuity and technical achievements that have marked human history, with a nod to space exploration, a particularly significant theme at the dawn of the new millennium.
With a mintage of 35,135,154 copies, this coin is today sought after by collectors of the Millennium series. The presented example, graded MS-64 Choice +, offers 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 "young bust" portrait 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-64 Choice + grade, the original strike luster is brilliant, intense, and perfectly uniform across the entire surface. Contact marks are virtually absent to the naked eye; only microscopic imperfections may be detected under magnification, and nothing detracts from the view.
The Reverse (Achievement - Space Conquest)
The reverse, designed by Daryl Ann Dorosz, depicts a scene symbolizing great human achievements, with a reference to space conquest. A stylized astronaut or space capsule evokes space exploration, while design elements recall technical and scientific progress. The bilingual inscriptions "ACHIEVEMENT 2000 RÉALISATION" surround the motif, with the mention "CANADA" at the bottom.
This design celebrates human achievements, this ability to push boundaries and accomplish great things, symbolized by space exploration, a particularly significant theme at the dawn of the third millennium. In MS-64 Choice +, all design details are perfectly sharp, with a full strike. The "Choice +" quality indicates a coin that surpasses the average MS-64 in its harmonious balance and superior presentation.
Technical Specifications
Condition: MS-64 CHOICE +
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Luster: The original strike luster is brilliant, intense, and perfectly uniform on 100% of the surface.
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Surface: Contact marks are absent to the naked eye. At most, a tiny minor mark may be found with a 10x magnifying glass, but nothing significant. The fields are clear and without distraction.
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Strike: Perfectly centered and full strike with all design details (space scene, inscriptions) of exceptional sharpness.
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Visual Appeal: An MS-64 Choice + graded coin represents exceptional quality for this commemorative coin from the Millennium series.
