2020 Canada: 25 cents Caribou
BU (Brilliant Uncirculated) Quality — Grade: MS-65 GEM
Coin Description
This 2020 25-cent coin belongs to the long line of Caribou 25-cent pieces, an iconic design introduced in 1937. The year 2020 was particular for the Royal Canadian Mint: while the production of most other denominations dropped due to the pandemic, the mintage of the 25-cent coin, on the contrary, increased to 96 million units, to meet the country's needs.
The composition is copper-plated steel (94% steel, 3.8% copper, 2.2% nickel), the standard for circulation coins of this era.
What makes this specimen particularly sought after is its MS-65 GEM grade. For a modern circulation coin produced in such large quantities, achieving this level of preservation is rare. The vast majority of 2020 25-cent coins have been handled or show bag marks. A GEM grade means this coin has survived with well-preserved luster and an absence of visible marks.
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 accordance with coins of 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 "2020".
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 totally absent to the naked eye, and even under 10x magnification, only tiny microscopic imperfections may be detected. The fields are of exceptional clarity.
The Reverse (Caribou)
The reverse features the classic caribou design, created by Emanuel Hahn and used since 1937. The animal's head, an emblematic symbol of Canadian currency, is surrounded by the inscription "CANADA," the value "25 CENTS," and the year "2020." In MS-65 GEM, all details of the antlers, fur, eye, and contours are stunningly sharp, with a full strike. The "GEM" quality indicates a coin of exceptional beauty that stands out significantly from lower grades.
Technical Specifications
Condition: MS-65 GEM
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Luster: The original mint luster is brilliant, of remarkable intensity 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 impeccably clear, without any visual distraction.
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Strike: Perfectly centered and full strike with all design details exceptionally sharp.
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Visual appeal: An MS-65 GEM grade coin represents exceptional quality for a circulation coin of this type.
