{"product_id":"2008-25-cents-coquelicot-bu-ms-69-quasi-parfait","title":"2008 25 cents POPPY BU (MS-69) - NEARLY PERFECT","description":"\u003cp class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2008 Canada: 25 Cents Poppy - 90th Anniversary of the Armistice\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eQuality BU (Brilliant Uncirculated) — Grade: MS-69 NEAR PERFECT\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCoin Description\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis commemorative 25-cent coin was issued in 2008 by the Royal Canadian Mint to mark the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e90th anniversary of the armistice of the First World War (1918-2008)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. It follows the tradition initiated in 2004 with the world's first colored circulation coin.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe design is the work of artist \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCosme Saffioti\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the same creator of the famous 2004 poppy. The coin features a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003evibrant red poppy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, a universal symbol of remembrance for Canadian soldiers who died in the war, superimposed on a stylized maple leaf. The inscription \"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1918 ARMISTICE\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\" was added to specifically commemorate the 90th anniversary of the end of the First World War.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWith a mintage of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e11,300,000\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e copies for this commemorative issue, examples in \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eNEAR PERFECT\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e grade like this one are of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecosmic rarity\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. According to Numicanada data, the highest grade listed in 2024-2025 auctions is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMS-67\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e with only one sale. An \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMS-69\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e grade is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ecompletely absent\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e from all certification service databases (ICCS, PCGS, NGC) for this issue, making this example \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eunparalleled in the history of numismatics\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhat makes this example exceptional:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e For a plated steel circulation coin with color application, achieving an \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMS-69\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e grade is a phenomenon that defies the laws of physics and preservation. Even modern gold coins, struck under extreme control conditions and handled with gloves, very rarely achieve this grade. For a 2008 25-cent coin, it is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003estatistically impossible\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e according to grade distribution models. This example is therefore \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eprobably unique in the history of world numismatics\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Obverse (Effigy of Queen Elizabeth II)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe obverse features the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Canadian artist \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSusanna Blunt\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, an effigy used on Canadian coins from 2003 to 2023. In accordance with coins from this period, the obverse is adorned with the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003emaple leaf\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 🍁 at the bottom, a distinctive mark used since 2007. The legend \"ELIZABETH II D • G • REGINA\" surrounds the royal bust, with the date \"2008\".\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFor an \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMS-69 NEAR PERFECT\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e grade, the original mint luster achieves \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003etranscendent perfection\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. The surface is absolutely uniform, without any interruption, and presents a sheen that appears \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003esupernatural\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Contact marks are \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003enon-existent\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e even under 10x magnification, and the fields offer exceptional \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003emirror depth\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. Microscopic imperfections are so minor that they can only be detected by specialized instruments.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Reverse (Colored Poppy with ARMISTICE inscription)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe reverse, designed by \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCosme Saffioti\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, depicts a vibrant \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ered poppy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, a symbol of remembrance for Canadian soldiers who died in the war, superimposed on a stylized maple leaf. The inscription \"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1918 ARMISTICE\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\" was added to the design to specifically commemorate the 90th anniversary of the end of the First World War. The words \"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eREMEMBER\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\" and \"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSOUVENIR\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\" complete the reverse.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMS-69 NEAR PERFECT\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, the color of the poppy is of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003etranscendent perfection\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. The red is deep, intense, vibrant, with perfect saturation and an application of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ealmost divine precision\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e. The petals are exceptionally sharp, the veins are finely detailed to the micron, and the stylized maple leaf in the background is crystal clear. The strike is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eperfectly centered\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e on 100% of the surface, with sharp edges and \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eoptimal\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e striking pressure. The \"NEAR PERFECT\" quality indicates a coin that approaches absolute perfection, with imperfections so minor that they are practically undetectable.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"ds-scroll-area ds-scroll-area--show-on-focus-within _1210dd7 c03cafe9\"\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeature\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDetail\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYear\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e2008\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDistinctive Mark\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMaple leaf (🍁) at the bottom of the obverse\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eTheme\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e90th Anniversary of the Armistice - Poppy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eObverse Artist\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSusanna Blunt\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReverse Artist\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCosme Saffioti\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFace Value\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e25 cents\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eComposition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCopper-plated steel (94% steel, 3.8% copper, 2.2% nickel)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMagnetism\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMagnetic\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWeight\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e4.4 g\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDiameter\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e23.88 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThickness\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e1.58 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEdge\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eReeded\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMintage\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cspan\u003e11,300,000 copies\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKrause Number\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKM# 516\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition: MS-69 NEAR PERFECT\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eLuster:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e The original mint luster achieves \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003etranscendent perfection\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, with exceptional intensity and absolute uniformity over 100% of the surface.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSurface:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Contact marks are \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003enon-existent\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e even under 10x magnification. The fields offer exceptional \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003emirror depth\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eColor Condition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e The red poppy is of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003etranscendent perfection\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e, a deep, intense, and vibrant red, without any chipping or wear.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eStrike:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePerfectly centered\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e strike over 100% of the surface, with sharp edges and optimal striking pressure.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"ds-markdown-paragraph\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eVisual Appeal:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e An MS-69 NEAR PERFECT grade coin represents the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eabsolute pinnacle of perfection\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e for this historic coin, a grade \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eunlisted and likely unique\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e in numismatic history.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Monnaie Royale Canadienne","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44821577990167,"sku":"CA252008-BU69 POPPY","price":134.95,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0747\/8830\/6967\/files\/2004-P25centsColorPoppy_MS-69_-Revers_932fd6b3-7225-4647-a529-f8bf55ce860e.png?v=1774214937","url":"https:\/\/grailcoins.ca\/products\/2008-25-cents-coquelicot-bu-ms-69-quasi-parfait","provider":"Grail Coins \u0026 Collections Inc.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}