2013 Canada: 25 Cents Arctic Expedition (Explorers)
Quality BU (Brilliant Uncirculated) — 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 centennial of the first Canadian Arctic Expedition (1913-2016). This five-year scientific expedition, jointly organized by the Geological Survey of Canada and the Naval Service, brought together experts in anthropology, biology, and earth sciences. Traveling by ship and dog sled, the team faced numerous hardships; seventeen of its members perished during the expedition. Twenty-five million of these commemorative coins were put into circulation, divided between two different designs (explorers and whales). The offered specimen, graded MS-63 Choice, shows 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 "2013". The engraving is signed by Susan Taylor . For an MS-63 Choice grade, the original mint luster is well-preserved, intense, and uniform over almost the entire surface. Contact marks are minimal and barely visible to the naked eye.
The Reverse (Explorers and Dog Sled)
The reverse, designed by artist Bonnie Ross (initials "BR" on the coin), depicts three men on a dog sled awaiting the signal to embark on an adventure in the Arctic tundra. In the background appears the stylized image of a compass on the horizon . This design is taken from a photograph during the historic expedition . The inscriptions "CANADA 25 CENTS", "ARCTIC EXPEDITION 1913-2013 EXPEDITION DANS L'ARCTIQUE" and the initials "BR" complete the reverse .
There are two varieties of frosting for this coin, but the specimen offered here is the standard version without pronounced selective frosting, which corresponds to the desired "BU (MS-63) - CHOICE" description.
Technical Specifications
Condition: MS-63 CHOICE (Brilliant Uncirculated / Mint State-63 Choice)
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Luster: The original mint luster is well-preserved, intense, and uniform over almost the entire surface.
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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: Full strike with all design details (explorers, dogs, sled, compass) perfectly sharp and well-defined.
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Special Feature: This version does not feature pronounced selective frosting, unlike the "frosted explorers" or "frosted compass" varieties .
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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.
