2008 Canada: 25 Cents Caribou
Quality BU (Brilliant Uncirculated) — Grade: MS-64 CHOICE +
Coin Description
This 2008 25-cent coin belongs to the long line of caribou 25-cent coins, an emblematic design introduced in 1937. The year 2008 is special: while the Royal Canadian Mint's uncirculated sets contained four commemorative Olympic coins (snowboarding, freestyle skiing, figure skating, and bobsleigh), regular circulation coins still featured Emanuel Hahn's traditional caribou. The specimen offered, graded MS-64 Choice +, represents the pinnacle of quality for this issue and offers exceptional preservation.
The Obverse (Effigy of Queen Elizabeth II)
The obverse features the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Canadian artist Susanna Blunt. 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 "2008". For an MS-64 Choice + grade, the mint luster is brilliant, intense, and perfectly uniform across the entire surface, with a superb "cartwheel" effect. Contact marks are practically absent to the naked eye; only microscopic imperfections may be detected under magnification, and nothing distracts the view.
The Reverse (Caribou)
The reverse features the classic caribou design, created by Emanuel Hahn and used since 1937. The animal's head, an emblematic symbol of Canadian currency, is surrounded by the inscription "CANADA", the value "25 CENTS", and the year "2008". In MS-64 Choice +, all details of the antlers, fur, and eye are perfectly sharp, with a full strike. The "Choice +" quality indicates a coin that surpasses the average MS-64 in its harmonious balance and superior presentation.
Technical Specifications
Condition: MS-64 CHOICE + (Brilliant Uncirculated / Mint State-64 Choice +)
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Luster: The original luster is brilliant, intense, and perfectly uniform across 100% of the surface, with a superb "cartwheel" effect.
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Surface: Contact marks are absent to the naked eye. At most, a tiny minor mark might be found under 10x magnification, but nothing significant. The fields are clear and without distraction.
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Strike: Perfectly centered and full strike with all details of the design (caribou, inscriptions) exceptionally sharp.
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Eye Appeal: An MS-64 Choice + graded coin represents the pinnacle of what can be found for a circulation coin of this type. It offers a quality worthy of the greatest collections.
