2000 Canada: 25 cents Pride - Millennium Series (January)
BU Quality (Brilliant Uncirculated) — Grade: MS-64 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 focused on Canada's past, while the 2000 designs looked to the future.
The "Pride" coin represents the month of January 2000. Its design, by 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 offered coin, graded MS-64 Choice, boasts exceptional preservation with remarkable 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 value "25 CENTS" at the bottom.
For an MS-64 Choice grade, the original mint 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 with a magnifying glass, and nothing distracts the eye.
The Reverse (Pride - Maple Leaf and 2000 Ribbon)
The reverse, designed by Donald F. Warkentin (initials "DFW"), depicts a large stylized maple leaf, the 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-64 Choice, all details of the maple leaf, ribbon, and inscriptions are perfectly sharp, with a full strike.
Technical Specifications
Condition: MS-64 CHOICE
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Luster: The original mint luster is brilliant, intense, and perfectly uniform over 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 loupe, but nothing significant. The fields are clear and without distraction.
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Strike: Perfectly centered and full strike with all design details exceptionally sharp.
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Visual Appeal: An MS-64 Choice graded coin represents exceptional quality for this commemorative coin from the Millennium series.
