2004-P Canada: 25 cents Poppy - World's First Colored Circulation Coin
BU (Brilliant Uncirculated) Quality — Grade: MS-64 CHOICE +
Coin Description
This 2004 25-cent coin is simply historic! It is the world's first colored circulation coin, issued by the Royal Canadian Mint to commemorate Remembrance Day. Its innovative design, featuring a vibrant red poppy, not only captivated collectors but also created an international anecdote: in 2007, it was at the heart of a US Department of Defense alert, with military contractors mistaking it for a "nanotechnology-filled" espionage device!
With a mintage of 28,500,000 copies for the colored version, high-quality specimens like this one are particularly sought after. The offered specimen, graded MS-64 Choice +, represents an exceptional state of preservation with remarkable visual appeal.
The Obverse (Effigy of Queen Elizabeth II)
The obverse features the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Canadian artist Susanna Blunt, an effigy used on Canadian coins from 2003 to 2023. The legend "ELIZABETH II D • G • REGINA" surrounds the royal bust, with the date "2004" and the mint mark "P" (for plated steel) located below the effigy.
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 (Colored Poppy)
The reverse, designed by artist Cosme Saffioti, depicts a vibrant red poppy, symbolizing the remembrance of Canadian soldiers who died in war, superimposed on a stylized maple leaf. It includes the inscription "CANADA," the date "2004," the value "25 CENTS," and the words "REMEMBER" and "SOUVENIR." The color was applied using a high-speed computer-controlled process patented by the Royal Canadian Mint.
In MS-64 Choice +, the color of the poppy is perfectly preserved, a vibrant red, without chipping or wear. The stylized maple leaf in the background is perfectly sharp, and the strike is full and complete.
Technical Specifications
Condition: MS-64 CHOICE +
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Luster: The original mint luster is brilliant, intense, and perfectly uniform across 100% of the surface.
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Surface: Contact marks are absent to the naked eye. Fields are clear and distraction-free.
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Color Condition: The red poppy is perfectly preserved, a vibrant red, without chipping or wear.
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Strike: Perfectly centered and complete strike with all design details (poppy, maple leaf, inscriptions) exceptionally sharp.
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Visual Appeal: An MS-64 Choice + grade coin represents exceptional quality for this historic coin, the very first colored circulation coin in the world.
