2000 Canada: 25 cents Pride - Millennium Series (January)
BU Quality (Brilliant Uncirculated) — Grade: MS-66 GEM +
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 the 2000 designs looked to the future.
The "Pride" coin represents 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".
With a mintage of 50,749,102 copies, this coin is relatively common in circulated condition, but becomes extremely rare in GEM+ quality like this one. The offered specimen, graded MS-66 GEM+, represents an exceptional state of preservation that places it among the very best coins of this issue.
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 depicts the Queen at 64 years old, wearing a diamond circlet 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-66 GEM+ grade, the original mint luster is dazzling, with remarkable intensity and perfectly uniform across the entire surface. Contact marks are completely absent to the naked eye, and even under 10x magnification, only tiny microscopic imperfections can be detected. The fields are exceptionally clear.
The Reverse (Pride - Maple Leaf and 2000 Ribbon)
The reverse, designed by Donald F. Warkentin (initials "DFW"), depicts a large stylized maple leaf, an iconic national symbol. 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 design, with "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-66 GEM+, all details of the maple leaf, ribbon, and inscriptions are stunningly sharp, with a full-strike. The "GEM+" quality indicates a coin of remarkable beauty that surpasses the average GEM by its harmonious balance and superior presentation.
Technical Specifications
Condition: MS-66 GEM+
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Luster: The original mint luster is dazzling, with remarkable intensity and perfectly uniform across 100% of the surface.
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Surface: Contact marks are totally absent to the naked eye. The fields are exceptionally clear.
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Strike: Perfectly centered and full strike with all design details exceptionally sharp.
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Eye Appeal: An MS-66 GEM+ graded coin represents exceptional superior quality for this commemorative coin from the Millennium series.
