2015 Canada: 25 cents Poppy - Coloured Version
Quality BU (Brilliant Uncirculated) — Grade: MS-65 GEM
Coin Description
This commemorative 25-cent coin was issued in 2015 by the Royal Canadian Mint to mark Remembrance Day, continuing the tradition started in 2004 with the world's first coloured circulation coin. The coloured version of this coin features the vibrant red poppy, a universal symbol of remembrance for Canadian soldiers who died in war.
With a mintage of 6,250,000 copies for the coloured version, specimens in GEM grade like this one are particularly sought after. The offered specimen, graded MS-65 GEM, boasts exceptional preservation with remarkable 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 “2015”.
For an MS-65 GEM grade, the original mint luster is brilliant, 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 fields are exceptionally clear.
The Reverse (Coloured Poppy)
The reverse, designed by artist Cosme Saffioti (the creator of the famous 2004 poppy), features a moving design. A vibrant red poppy, symbolizing the remembrance of Canadian soldiers who died in war, is depicted with its characteristic petals. The inscription “REMEMBER • SOUVENIR” is engraved in a banner at the bottom of the coin. The colour 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 “2015” complete the reverse.
In MS-65 GEM, the poppy's colour is perfectly preserved, a deep and vibrant red, without any chipping or wear. All details of the flower, petals, and banner are exceptionally sharp, with a full-strike. The "GEM" quality indicates a coin of exceptional beauty that stands out significantly from lower grades due to its perfect balance and impeccable presentation.
Technical Specifications
Condition: MS-65 GEM
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Luster: The original mint luster is brilliant, of remarkable intensity and perfectly uniform across 100% of the surface.
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Surface: Contact marks are completely absent to the naked eye. The fields are impeccably clear, without any visual distractions.
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Colour condition: The red poppy is perfectly preserved, a deep and vibrant red, without chipping or wear.
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Strike: Perfectly centered and full strike with all design details (poppy, "REMEMBER • SOUVENIR" banner, inscriptions) exceptionally sharp.
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Visual appeal: An MS-65 GEM grade coin represents exceptional quality for this commemorative coloured version, offering a perfect balance of luster, colour, and presentation.
