2003 Canada: 25 cents Old Effigy (Dora de Pédery-Hunt)
BU (Brilliant Out of Circulation) Quality — Grade: MS-64 CHOICE +
Description of the room
This 25-cent coin from 2003 belongs to the old effigy, a special year in which two portraits of Queen Elizabeth II coexisted. With a mintage of only 15,905,090 for circulation, this variety is significantly rarer than its contemporary counterpart with the new effigy (nearly 67 million). The specimen offered, graded MS-64 Choice + , represents an exceptional state of preservation which places it in the top tier for this sought-after transitional variety, with remarkable visual appeal.
The Obverse (Former Effigy of Queen Elizabeth II)
The obverse features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by renowned Canadian sculptor Dora de Pédery-Hunt , a design used on Canadian coins from 1990 to 2003. It depicts the Queen wearing the diamond crown, adorned with roses, shamrocks, and thistles. The legend “ELIZABETH II D • G • REGINA” surrounds the royal bust, along with the date “2003” and the mint mark “P” (for plated steel). For an MS-64 Choice+ grade , the striking luster is brilliant, intense, and perfectly uniform across the entire surface. Contact marks are virtually nonexistent to the naked eye; only microscopic imperfections can be detected under magnification, and nothing distracts from the overall aesthetic.
The Reverse (Caribou)
The reverse retains the classic caribou design, created by Emanuel Hahn and used since 1937. The animal's head, an iconic symbol of Canadian currency, is surrounded by the word "CANADA," the value "25 CENTS," and the year "2003." In MS-64 Choice+ quality , all the details of the antlers, fur, and eye are perfectly sharp, with a full-edge strike. The "Choice+" designation indicates a coin that surpasses the average MS-64 in harmonious balance and superior presentation.
Technical Specifications
Condition: MS-64 CHOICE + (Universal Brilliant / Mint State-64 Choice +)
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Luster: The original luster is brilliant, intense and perfectly uniform over 100% of the surface, with a superb "cartwheel" effect.
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Surface: Contact marks are absent to the naked eye. At most, a tiny, minor mark can be found under 10x magnification, but nothing significant. The fields are clear and free of distractions.
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Striking: Perfectly centered and complete strike with all design details of exceptional sharpness.
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Relative rarity: With a print run more than four times smaller than that of the new effigy, this variety is significantly rarer in high-quality preservation. .
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Visual appeal: An MS-64 Choice+ grade coin represents the pinnacle of what can be achieved for a circulation coin of this type. It offers a quality worthy of the finest collections.
