2000 Canada: 25 Cents Pride - Millennium Series (January)
Quality BU (Brilliant Uncirculated) — Grade: MS-63 CHOICE
Coin Description
This commemorative 25-cent coin was issued in 2000 by the Royal Canadian Mint as part of the Millennium series. In April 1998, the Mint announced a national design competition open to all Canadians to create twenty-four 25-cent coins, one for each month of 1999 and 2000. The 1999 designs looked back at Canada's past, while those of 2000 looked to the future.
The "Pride" coin represents the month of January 2000. Its design, the work of artist Donald F. Warkentin, symbolizes Canada's proud entry into the third millennium. It features a large maple leaf adorned with a ribbon forming the number "2", accompanied by three small leaves that complete the year "2000".
The specimen offered, graded MS-63 Choice, presents remarkable preservation with superior visual appeal for this highly sought-after commemorative coin.
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. It shows the Queen at 64 years old, 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-63 Choice grade, the original mint luster is well present, intense, and uniform over almost the entire surface. Contact marks are minimal and barely visible to the naked eye.
The Reverse (Pride - Maple Leaf and 2000 Ribbon)
The reverse, designed by Donald F. Warkentin (initials "DFW"), depicts a large stylized maple leaf, a national symbol par excellence. It is adorned with a ribbon forming the number "2", and three small leaves complete the year "2000". The bilingual inscriptions "PRIDE 2000 FIERTÉ" surround the motif, with the mention "CANADA" at the bottom.
This design symbolizes Canada's proud entry into the third millennium, celebrating both national identity and forward-looking optimism. In MS-63 Choice, all details of the maple leaf, ribbon, and inscriptions are perfectly sharp and well-struck, with no wear.
Technical Specifications
Condition: MS-63 CHOICE
-
Luster: The original mint luster is well present, intense and uniform over almost the entire surface.
-
Surface: Contact marks are minimal and few in number. The coin has not circulated.
-
Strike: Full strike with all design details (maple leaf, ribbon, inscriptions) perfectly sharp.
-
Visual Appeal: An MS-63 Choice grade coin offers an excellent balance between quality and value. The "Choice" designation indicates a coin that stands out for its superior presentation compared to the average MS-63.
