2000 Canada: 25 cents Wisdom - Millennium Series (September)
BU Quality (Brilliant Uncirculated) — Grade: MS-62
Coin Description
This commemorative 25-cent coin was issued in September 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, "Wisdom", symbolizes the transmission of knowledge and values between generations.
The design is the work of artist Cezar Şerbănescu (initials "CS") . It depicts an elderly person, symbolizing the past millennium, sharing their heritage with a child, representing the new millennium, who reaches out to them . Behind them, on the horizon, a rising sun evokes hope and a bright future.
The reverse also features a stylized maple leaf held by the elderly person, a symbol of Canadian heritage . The bilingual inscriptions " WISDOM 2000 SAGESSE " surround the motif, with " CANADA " at the bottom .
With a mintage of 33,993,016 copies , this coin is now sought after by collectors of the Millennium series. The offered specimen, graded MS-62, offers a very good state of preservation for this commemorative coin.
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-62 grade, the original mint luster is present, covering most of the surface, but may be slightly interrupted in some areas, with a few minor contact marks visible to the naked eye on the high points of the relief.
The Reverse (Wisdom - Transmission between Generations)
The reverse, designed by Cezar Şerbănescu, depicts a scene symbolizing the transmission of knowledge. It shows an elderly person (long hair, beard) seated, holding a maple leaf, while a standing child reaches out to them . Behind them, the rising sun evokes the hope of a bright future . The bilingual inscriptions " WISDOM 2000 SAGESSE " surround the motif, with " CANADA " at the bottom. The artist's initials " CS " appear below the child .
This design evokes the transmission of Canadian heritage and values between generations, a profound message at the dawn of the third millennium.
In MS-62, the details of the characters, the rising sun, and the maple leaf are clear, despite very slight handling marks on the periphery.
Technical Specifications
Condition: MS-62
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Luster: The original mint luster is present, covering most of the surface.
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Surface: Presence of a few contact marks (dings, fine scratches) visible to the naked eye or with a magnifying glass, primarily on the fields and high points. The coin has not circulated but has undergone very slight handling.
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Strike: The strike is complete and all design details (characters, rising sun, maple leaf, inscriptions) are clearly visible.
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Eye Appeal: An MS-62 grade coin represents excellent value for money for the collector who wishes to acquire this historic commemorative coin at an accessible price while still benefiting from an uncirculated condition.
