2013 25 cents LAURA SECORD NC BU (MS-65) - GEM

2013 Canada: 25 Cents Laura Secord (War of 1812) - Uncolored version with frosted portrait
Quality BU (Brilliant Uncirculated) — Grade: MS-65 GEM

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 to honor Laura Secord (1775-1868), a legendary heroine in Canadian history. This is the fifth and final issue of 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 a conversation between American officers discussing their intention to ambush the British near Beaver Dams. With her husband still recovering from war wounds, she set out early the next morning to walk the approximately 30 kilometers to Lieutenant James FitzGibbon. She first succeeded in delivering 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 offered specimen, graded MS-65 GEM, represents an exceptional state of preservation that places it among the very best coins of this issue.

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 shows 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-65 GEM grade, the original mint luster is dazzling, of remarkable intensity and perfectly uniform across the entire surface. Contact marks are completely absent to the naked eye, and even under 10x magnification, only tiny microscopic imperfections can be detected.

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 crafted pattern consisting of the inscription "The War of 1812" engraved 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 clearly against the finely crafted and brighter field, producing a superb cameo effect highly prized by collectors. Also featured is the stylized maple leaf from the Government of Canada's War of 1812 logo, with the year "1812" inscribed in an old-fashioned style. The inscriptions "25 cents" and "Secord" complete the reverse.

In MS-65 GEM, all details of Laura Secord's portrait are stunningly sharp, with a full-strike. The frosted finish is beautifully preserved, creating a striking contrast of exceptional clarity with the brilliant fields. The "GEM" quality indicates a coin of exceptional beauty that clearly stands out from lower grades due to its perfect balance and impeccable presentation .

Technical Specifications

Condition: MS-65 GEM (Brilliant Uncirculated / Mint State-65 Gem)

• Luster: The original mint luster is dazzling, of remarkable intensity and perfectly uniform across 100% of the surface.

• Surface: Contact marks are totally absent to the naked eye. The fields are impeccably clear, without any visual distractions. Only tiny microscopic imperfections can be detected under 10x magnification.

• Frosted / Cameo Finish: The frosted portrait of Laura Secord is perfectly preserved, creating a striking aesthetic contrast with the brighter field. The cameo effect is particularly pronounced in this superior grade.

• Strike: Perfectly centered and full strike with all design details exceptionally sharp.

• Visual Appeal: An MS-65 GEM grade coin represents the pinnacle for this commemorative issue. It is an exceptional coin, of rare beauty, that will find its place in the greatest collections.