2015 Canada: 25 cents Poppy - Uncolored 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 colored circulation coin. The uncolored (NC) version of this coin, with its clean design, allows for full appreciation of the engraving work and the symbolic details of the poppy, an emblem of remembrance for Canadian soldiers who died in war.
With a mintage of 6,250,000 copies for the uncolored version, examples graded GEM like this one are particularly rare and sought after. The offered example, graded MS-65 GEM, represents an exceptional state of 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 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, with the date “2015”.
For an MS-65 GEM grade, the original mint luster is dazzling, remarkably intense, and perfectly uniform across the entire surface. Contact marks are totally absent to the naked eye, and even under 10x magnification, only tiny microscopic imperfections may be detected. The fields are exceptionally clear.
The Reverse (Poppy)
The reverse features the classic poppy design, a symbol of remembrance for Canadian soldiers who died in war. The inscription “REMEMBER • SOUVENIR” is engraved on a banner at the bottom of the coin. The flower is depicted with its characteristic petals in relief, allowing for full appreciation of the engraving work. Unlike the colored version, this uncolored (NC) version offers a more classic rendition that emphasizes the interplay of light and shadow on the metal. The inscriptions “CANADA,” “25 CENTS,” and the year “2015” complete the reverse.
In MS-65 GEM, all details of the poppy, petals, stem, 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 dazzling, remarkably intense, and perfectly uniform over 100% of the surface.
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Surface: Contact marks are totally absent to the naked eye. The fields are exceptionally clear.
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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 uncolored version. The "GEM" designation indicates a coin of remarkable beauty.