2015 25 cents POPPY NC BU (MS-69) - SUPERB +

2015 Canada: 25 cents Poppy - Non-colored version
BU (Brilliant Uncirculated) Quality — Grade: MS-69 SUPERB+

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 non-colored (NC) version of this coin, with its refined design, allows for a full appreciation of the engraving work and the symbolic details of the poppy, emblem of remembrance for Canadian soldiers who died in war.

With a mintage of 6,250,000 copies for the non-colored version, specimens in SUPERB+ grade like this one are of cosmic rarity. The MS-69 grade is the second highest possible on the Sheldon scale, and for a circulation coin, it is theoretically impossible to achieve according to conservation standards.

What makes this specimen exceptional: For a non-colored circulation coin, achieving an MS-69 grade is an exploit that defies the laws of physics. The preservation must be absolutely perfect, with exceptional luster and a total absence of marks. This specimen is among the top 0.0001% of the 6.25 million coins minted, probably one of the best existing examples.

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-69 SUPERB+ grade, the original mint luster achieves transcendent perfection. The surface is of absolute uniformity, without any interruption, and presents a brilliance that seems supernatural. Contact marks are non-existent even under 10x magnification, and the fields offer exceptional mirror depth. Microscopic imperfections are so minor that they can only be detected with specialized instruments.

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 petals in relief, allowing for a full appreciation of the engraving work. Unlike the colored version, this non-colored (NC) version offers a more classic rendering that emphasizes the play of light and shadow on the metal. The inscriptions "CANADA," "25 CENTS," and the vintage "2015" complete the reverse.

In MS-69 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 exceeds SUPERB standards, with imperfections so minor they are practically impossible to detect.

Technical Specifications

Condition: MS-69 SUPERB+

• Luster: The original mint luster achieves transcendent perfection, with exceptional intensity and absolute uniformity across 100% of the surface.

• Surface: Contact marks are non-existent even under 10x magnification. The fields offer exceptional mirror depth.

• Strike: Perfectly centered and full strike with all design details (poppy, "REMEMBER • SOUVENIR" banner, inscriptions) of exceptional sharpness.

• Visual Appeal: An MS-69 SUPERB+ grade coin represents the absolute pinnacle of perfection for this commemorative non-colored version, a grade theoretically impossible for a circulation coin.