2005 Canada: 25 Cents Veterans
Quality BU (Brilliant Uncirculated) — Grade: MS-65 GEM
Coin Description
This commemorative 25-cent coin was issued in 2005 by the Royal Canadian Mint to honour Canadian veterans and their sacrifice. It is part of a numismatic tradition aimed at commemorating Remembrance Day and recalling the importance of the duty of remembrance .
The design by artist Elaine Goble features in profile two veterans of different generations, united in their love for their homeland. The older veteran alongside the young soldier symbolizes the transmission of courage and experience across generations, illustrating the continuity of military duty through time .
With a mintage of 29,390,000 copies , this coin is relatively common in circulated condition, but becomes particularly rare in high preserved quality like this one. The offered specimen, graded MS-65 GEM, 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. In accordance with coins of this era, the obverse is adorned with the maple leaf 🍁 at the bottom, a distinctive mark used since 2007. The legend "ELIZABETH II D • G • REGINA" surrounds the royal bust, with the date "2005" and the mint mark "P" (for plated steel) below the effigy .
For an MS-65 GEM grade, the original mint luster is brilliant, of remarkable intensity and perfectly uniform across the entire surface. Contact marks are totally absent to the naked eye, and even under 10x magnification, only tiny microscopic imperfections can be detected. The fields are of exceptional clarity.
The Reverse (Tribute to Veterans)
The reverse, designed by artist Elaine Goble (initials "EG"), depicts an emotional design: a young soldier and an elderly veteran facing each other, symbolizing the transmission of duty and sacrifice across generations . The design is completed by a laurel wreath and the inscriptions "25 CENTS CANADA" and the year "2005" .
In MS-65 GEM, all details of the faces, uniforms, and laurels are exceptionally sharp, with a full strike to the rim. The "GEM" quality indicates a coin of remarkable beauty that stands out clearly from lower grades due to its perfect balance and impeccable presentation.
Technical Specifications
Condition: MS-65 GEM
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Luster: The original mint luster is brilliant, of 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 impeccably clear, without any visual distractions.
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Strike: Perfectly centered and complete strike with all design details exceptionally sharp.
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Visual Appeal: An MS-65 GEM grade coin represents exceptional quality for this commemorative issue, offering a perfect balance of luster, surface preservation, and visual impact.
