2013 25 Cents FROSTED WHALES BU (MS-63) - CHOICE

2013 Canada: 25 cents Life in the North (Canadian Arctic Expedition) - Frosted Version
BU (Brilliant Uncirculated) Grade — Grade: MS-63 CHOICE

Coin Description

This commemorative 25-cent coin was issued on November 22, 2013, by the Royal Canadian Mint to mark the centenary of the first Canadian Arctic Expedition (1913-2013). It showcases life in the North through the eyes of Inuit artist Tim Pitsiulak from Kinngait (Cape Dorset), Nunavut. Twenty-five million of these commemorative coins were released into circulation, divided between two different frosted varieties. The specimen offered here, graded MS-63 Choice, exhibits 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 that 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, along with the date “2013.” 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 (Whales and Northern Life with Selective Frosting)

The reverse, designed by renowned Inuit artist Tim Pitsiulak (his initials in Inuktitut syllabics "nJn" appear on the coin), depicts a rich and intricate design of Arctic life. In the center, two beluga whales are shown swimming alongside a bowhead whale (Arctic right whale). This bowhead whale is adorned with several elements drawn from Inuit culture:

• An ivory mask from the Dorset culture on its back

• A Thule ivory comb on its head

• An igloo motif on its flank

• An amauti (women's parka) design on its tail

Around the edge of the coin, in silhouette, a traditional hunting scene depicts an umiak (Inuit hunting boat) pursuing a whale, followed by three kayaks. The inscriptions “CANADA,” “25 CENTS,” and the year “2013” complete the reverse. In MS-63 Choice, all the intricate details of this design are perfectly sharp and well-struck, and the selective frosting is well preserved, creating an aesthetic contrast with the rest of the design.

Frosting Varieties

There are two main varieties for this coin, each with a mintage of 6,250,000 specimens:

1. Type 1: The bowhead whale is selectively frosted (including the tip of its small fin).

2. Type 2: The two beluga whales are selectively frosted.

The specimen offered here is the one where the two beluga whales are frosted (Type 2).

Technical Specifications

Condition: MS-63 CHOICE (Brilliant Uncirculated / Mint State-63 Choice)

• Luster: The original mint luster is well present, intense, and uniform over almost the entire surface.

• 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.

• Frosted Finish: The selective frosting on the two beluga whales is well preserved, creating a striking aesthetic contrast with the rest of the design.

• Strike: Full strike with all intricate details of the design (whales, cultural motifs, border hunting scene) perfectly sharp and well-defined.

• Visual Appeal: An MS-63 Choice graded coin offers an excellent balance of 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 frosting.