2008 Canada: 25 cents Freestyle Skiing (Vancouver 2010)
BU Quality (Brilliant Uncirculated) β Grade: MS-63 CHOICE
Coin Description
This commemorative 25-cent coin was issued in 2008 by the Royal Canadian Mint as part of the series celebrating the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. It is the seventh in a series of 17 coins dedicated to winter sports . It pays tribute to freestyle skiing, a spectacular discipline combining alpine skiing and aerial maneuvers, which originated in the 1960s and became an official Olympic sport in Albertville in 1992 . With a mintage of approximately 22,000,400 copies for circulation , this coin is highly prized today by collectors of the Olympic series. The offered specimen, graded MS-63 Choice, boasts remarkable preservation and superior visual appeal.
The Obverse (Effigy of Queen Elizabeth II)
The obverse features the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Canadian artist Susanna Blunt, at 77 years old, uncrowned, wearing a necklace and earrings . Consistent with coins of this era, the obverse is adorned with the maple leaf π at the bottom, a distinctive mark used since 2007. The legend "CANADA Β· ELIZABETH II 2008" surrounds the royal bust, along with the Olympic logo . For an MS-63 Choice grade, the mint luster is clearly present, intense and uniform across almost the entire surface, with a beautiful "cartwheel" effect. Contact marks are minimal and barely visible to the naked eye.
The Reverse (Freestyle Skier)
The reverse, designed by Vancouver artist Glen Green (whose initials "GG" appear on the coin), illustrates the spirit and agility of freestyle skiing . It depicts a skier in action, performing a spectacular jump, skis spread, in a characteristic posture of this aerial discipline. The design is completed by the inscription "VANCOUVER 2010" as well as the denomination "25 CENTS" . In MS-63 Choice, all the details of the athlete, their equipment, and the jumping position are perfectly sharp and well-struck, without any wear.
Technical Specifications
Condition: MS-63 CHOICE (Brilliant Uncirculated / Mint State-63 Choice)
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Luster: The original luster is clearly present, intense and uniform across almost the entire surface, with a good "cartwheel" effect.
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Surface: Contact marks are minimal and few. A very slight ding or fine scratch may be observed, but nothing distracting to the eye. The coin has not circulated.
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Strike: Complete strike with all design details (skier, jump position, inscriptions) perfectly sharp and well-defined.
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Visual Appeal: An MS-63 Choice graded coin offers an excellent balance between quality and value. The "Choice" designation indicates a coin that stands out for its superior presentation compared to the average MS-63.
