2015 Canada: 25 cents Poppy - Uncolored Version
BU (Brilliant Uncirculated) Quality — Grade: MS-68 SUPERB +
Coin Description
This commemorative 25-cent coin was issued in 2015 by the Royal Canadian Mint to mark Remembrance Day, continuing the tradition that began in 2004 with the world's first colored circulating 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, the emblem commemorating Canadian soldiers who died in war.
With a mintage of 6,250,000 copies for the uncolored version, specimens graded SUPERB + like this one are cosmically rare. The MS-68 grade is so exceptional for this issue that it likely does not appear in the population tables of certification services.
What makes this specimen exceptional: For an uncolored circulating coin, achieving the MS-68 SUPERB + grade is a remarkable feat. The preservation must be near perfect, with exceptional luster and a complete absence of marks. This specimen is among the top 0.001% of the 6.25 million coins minted.
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-68 SUPERB + grade, the original mint luster achieves transcendent perfection. The surface is absolutely uniform, without any interruption, and exhibits a shine that seems supernatural. Contact marks are non-existent even under 10x magnification, and the fields offer exceptional mirror depth.
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 in a banner at the bottom of the coin. The flower is depicted with its characteristic raised petals, allowing for full appreciation of the engraving work. Unlike the colored version, this uncolored (NC) version offers a more classic rendering 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-68 SUPERB +, all details of the poppy, petals, stem, and banner are stunningly sharp, with a full-rim strike. The "SUPERB +" quality indicates a coin of exceptional beauty that even surpasses SUPERB standards, with imperfections so minor they are practically impossible to detect.
Technical Specifications
Condition: MS-68 SUPERB +
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Luster: The original mint luster achieves transcendent perfection, with exceptional intensity and absolute uniformity across 100% of the surface.
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Surface: Contact marks are non-existent even under 10x magnification. The fields offer exceptional mirror depth.
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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-68 SUPERB + grade coin represents the absolute pinnacle of perfection for this uncolored commemorative coin, an exceptionally rare grade.
