2011 Canada: 25 cents Orca (Legendary Nature) - Color Version
BU (Brilliant Uncirculated) Quality — Grade: MS-63 CHOICE
Coin Description
This 25-cent coin was issued in 2011 by the Royal Canadian Mint as part of the "Legendary Nature of Canada" series. This series celebrates Canada's iconic wildlife, and the orca (Orcinus orca), also known as the killer whale, holds a prominent place alongside the wood bison and peregrine falcon. These majestic marine mammals, recognizable by their distinctive black and white markings, are particularly common off the coast of British Columbia, where they are a major attraction for whale watching. The color version of this coin highlights the characteristic contrast of the orca, with the application of enamel or color that brings out the animal's black and white patterns. The specimen offered, graded MS-63 Choice, boasts remarkable preservation with superior 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 “2011”. For an MS-63 Choice grade, the original mint luster is well-present, intense and uniform over almost the entire surface. Contact marks are minimal and barely visible to the naked eye.
The Reverse (Colored Orca)
The reverse, designed by artist Claude Thivierge, depicts a stylized orca in mid-leap or swimming, capturing the grace and power of this marine mammal. The particularity of this version lies in the application of color which highlights the orca's characteristic markings: the deep black of its body and the bright white of its eye and ventral markings. The color was applied using a patented process by the Royal Canadian Mint, ensuring full adhesion to the metal. The inscriptions “CANADA,” “25 CENTS,” and the year “2011” complete the reverse. In MS-63 Choice, the color is perfectly preserved, without flaking, and all details of the orca (fin, body, splashes) are remarkably sharp.
Technical Specifications
Condition: MS-63 CHOICE (Brilliant Uncirculated / Mint State-63 Choice)
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Luster: The original mint luster is well-present, intense and uniform over almost the entire surface.
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Surface: Contact marks are minimal and few. A very slight impact or fine scratch may be observed, but nothing distracting to the eye. The coin has not circulated.
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Color condition: The color applied to the orca is perfectly preserved, without flaking or wear. The contrast between black and white is clearly visible.
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Strike: Full strike with all design details (orca, 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, with particularly well-preserved color.
