2013 25 cents LAURA SECORD NC BU (MS-63) - CHOICE

2013 Canada: 25 cents Laura Secord (War of 1812) - Uncolored version with frosted portrait
BU (Brilliant Uncirculated) Quality — Grade: MS-63 CHOICE

Coin Description

This commemorative 25-cent coin was issued on June 22, 2013, by the Royal Canadian Mint to mark the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812  and honor Laura Secord (1775-1868), a legendary heroine of Canadian history . It is the fifth and final issue in a series of four circulation coins honoring important historical figures who influenced the outcome of decisive battles for Canada from 1812 to 1814 .

In June 1813, Laura Secord overheard American officers discussing their intention to ambush the British near Beaver Dams. With her husband still recovering from war injuries, she set out early the next morning to walk the approximately 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) to Lieutenant James FitzGibbon. She first managed to deliver her message to a group of about 400 First Nations warriors, and then to FitzGibbon. On June 24, 1813, American forces were met by First Nations warriors and forced to surrender .

The mintage of this uncolored version is 6,250,000 copies . The specimen offered, 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. It depicts the Queen at 77 years old, without a crown, wearing a necklace and earrings. The engraving is signed by Susan Taylor . The legend "ELIZABETH II CANADA D•G•REGINA 2013" surrounds the royal bust. For an MS-63 Choice grade, the original mint luster is well-present, intense and uniform across almost the entire surface. Contact marks are minimal and barely visible to the naked eye.

The Reverse (Laura Secord with frosted portrait)

The reverse, designed by artist Bonnie Ross ("BR" initials on the coin) , depicts a profile portrait of Laura Secord on a field adorned with a finely engraved pattern consisting of the inscription "The War of 1812" in French and English . Bonnie Ross drew inspiration from various representations of Laura Secord to create a custom design .

The particularity of this uncolored version lies in the frosted portrait of Laura Secord, which stands out sharply against the finely chiseled and brighter field, producing a superb cameo effect highly prized by collectors . It also features the stylized maple leaf from the Government of Canada's War of 1812 logo, with the year " 1812 " inscribed in an antique style . The inscriptions " 25 cents " and " Secord " complete the reverse .

In MS-63 Choice, all details of Laura Secord's portrait are perfectly sharp and well-struck, and the frosted finish is well-preserved, creating a striking aesthetic contrast with the rest of the design.

Technical Specifications

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

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

• 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.

• Frosted/Cameo finish: The frosted portrait of Laura Secord is well-preserved, creating a striking aesthetic contrast with the brighter field .

• Strike: Full strike with all design details (Laura Secord's portrait, stylized maple leaf, inscriptions) perfectly sharp and well-defined.

• 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 average MS-63 coins.