2005 Canada: 25 Cents Veterans
Quality BU (Brilliant Uncirculated) — Grade: MS-66 GEM +
Coin Description
This commemorative 25-cent coin was issued in 2005 by the Royal Canadian Mint to honor Canadian veterans and their sacrifice. It is part of a numismatic tradition to commemorate Remembrance Day and to emphasize the importance of memory. The design depicts an elderly veteran alongside a young soldier, symbolizing the transmission of courage and experience between generations.
With a mintage of 29,390,000 examples, this coin is relatively common in circulated condition, but becomes extremely rare in high preserved quality such as this one. According to Numicanada, the value of higher grades jumps significantly, reflecting the rarity of well-preserved specimens . The offered example, graded MS-66 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 keeping with coins from 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-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, only tiny microscopic imperfections can be detected. The fields are exceptionally clear.
The Reverse (Homage to Veterans)
The reverse, designed by artist Elaine Goble, depicts a moving design: a young soldier and an elderly veteran facing each other, symbolizing the transmission of duty and sacrifice across generations. The design is complemented by a laurel wreath and the inscriptions " REMEMBER • SOUVENIR ", " VETERANS " and " VÉTÉRANS ".
In MS-66 GEM +, all details of the faces, uniforms, and laurels are exceptionally sharp, with a full-strike. The "GEM +" quality indicates a coin of remarkable beauty that surpasses the average GEM due to its harmonious balance and superior presentation.
Technical Specifications
