2004-P Canada: 25 cents Poppy - World's first colored circulation coin
BU (Brilliant Uncirculated) Quality — Grade: MS-66 GEM +
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 vivid red poppy, not only captivated collectors but also created a true international anecdote: in 2007, it was at the heart of an alert from the US Department of Defense, with military contractors mistaking it for a spying device filled with "nanotechnologies"!
With a mintage of 28,500,000 copies for the colored version, specimens in GEM + quality like this one are exceptionally rare. The vast majority of coins have circulated or show handling marks. An MS-66 GEM + grade means that this coin is among the very best ever certified for this issue.
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-66 GEM + grade, the original mint luster is dazzling, remarkably intense, and perfectly uniform across the entire surface. Contact marks are totally absent to the naked eye, and even under 10x magnification, imperfections are so minor they are virtually undetectable. The fields are exceptionally clear, with remarkable mirror depth.
The Reverse (Colored Poppy)
The reverse, designed by artist Cosme Saffioti, depicts a vibrant red poppy, a symbol of remembrance for Canadian soldiers killed 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 process patented by the Royal Canadian Mint.
In MS-66 GEM +, the poppy's color is absolutely perfect, an intense, deep, and vibrant red, without any chipping or wear. The petals are breathtakingly sharp, the stylized maple leaf in the background is exceptionally clear, and the strike is full-rimmed with perfect centering. The "GEM +" quality indicates a coin that surpasses even GEM standards due to its harmonious balance and superior presentation.
Technical Specifications
Condition: MS-66 GEM +
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Luster: The original mint luster is dazzling, remarkably intense, and perfectly uniform over 100% of the surface.
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Surface: Contact marks are totally absent to the naked eye. The fields are exceptionally clear, with remarkable mirror depth.
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Color Condition: The red poppy is absolutely perfect, an intense, deep, and vibrant red, without chipping or wear. The color is as fresh as the first day.
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Strike: Perfectly centered and complete strike with all design details (poppy, maple leaf, inscriptions) of exceptional sharpness.
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Visual Appeal: An MS-66 GEM + graded coin represents the ultimate for this historic piece, the very first colored circulation coin in the world. It is an exceptionally rare piece of incomparable beauty, which will find its place in the most prestigious collections.
