2004-P Canada: 25 cents Poppy - World's first colored circulation coin
BU Quality (Brilliant Uncirculated) — Grade: MS-67 SUPERB
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 a true international anecdote: in 2007, it was at the heart of a U.S. Department of Defense alert, as military contractors mistook it for a "nanotechnology"-filled spy device!
With a mintage of 28,500,000 copies for the colored version, specimens in SUPERB quality like this one are of mythical rarity. An MS-67 grade is so exceptional for this issue that it is likely unique or part of an infinitesimal number of examples ever certified.
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-67 SUPERB grade, the original mint luster is exceptional, of an intensity and quality that transcends usual standards. The surface is perfectly uniform without the slightest interruption. Contact marks are non-existent even under 10x magnification, and the fields are of remarkable clarity and mirror depth.
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 features the inscription "CANADA," the date "2004," the denomination "25 CENTS," and the words "REMEMBER" and "SOUVENIR." The color was applied using a high-speed computerized process patented by the Royal Canadian Mint.
In MS-67 SUPERB condition, the color of the poppy is absolutely perfect, a deep, intense, and vibrant red, without any flaking or wear. The petals are exceptionally sharp, the veins of the poppy are perfectly defined, the stylized maple leaf in the background is crystal clear, and the strike is full-bordered with absolutely perfect centering. The "SUPERB" quality indicates a coin of rare beauty, without any notable imperfections, representing the pinnacle of what can be achieved for this issue.
Technical Specifications
Condition: MS-67 SUPERB
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Luster: The original mint luster is exceptional, of an intensity and quality that transcends usual standards.
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Surface: Contact marks are non-existent even under 10x magnification. The fields are of remarkable clarity and mirror depth.
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Color Condition: The red poppy is absolutely perfect, a deep, intense, and vibrant red, without flaking or wear. The color is as fresh as on the first day.
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Strike: Perfectly centered and full strike with all design details exceptionally sharp. The strike is full-bordered with absolutely perfect centering.
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Visual Appeal: An MS-67 SUPERB grade coin represents the absolute pinnacle for this historic coin, the world's first colored circulation coin. It is an exceptionally rare piece of unrivaled beauty, which will find its place in the most prestigious collections worldwide.
