2020 Canada: 25 cents Caribou
BU (Brilliant Uncirculated) quality — Grade: MS-66 GEM +
Coin Description
This 2020 25-cent coin belongs to the long line of 25-cent caribou coins, an iconic design introduced in 1937. The year 2020 was special 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 copies, 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-66 GEM + grade. For a modern circulation coin produced in such large quantities, achieving this level of preservation is very rare. A GEM + grade means that this coin is among the best existing examples for this issue.
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-66 GEM + grade, the original mint luster is dazzling, of remarkable intensity and perfectly uniform over the entire surface. Contact marks are totally absent to the naked eye, and even under 10x magnification, only tiny microscopic imperfections can 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 iconic symbol of Canadian currency, is surrounded by the inscription "CANADA", the value "25 CENTS" and the year "2020". In MS-66 GEM +, all details of the antlers, fur, eye, and outlines are stunningly sharp, with a full strike. The "GEM +" quality indicates a coin of remarkable beauty that surpasses the average GEM by its harmonious balance and superior presentation.
Technical Specifications
Condition: MS-66 GEM +
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Luster: The original mint luster is dazzling, 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 of exceptional clarity.
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Strike: Perfectly centered and full strike with all design details exceptionally sharp.
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Visual appeal: An MS-66 GEM + grade coin represents exceptional quality for a circulation coin of this type, ranking among the best existing examples.
