25 cents 1999 and 2000 Millennium Coins - Articles on canadian coins - Coins and Canada

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25 cents 1999 and 2000 Millennium Coins

By thecanadiannumismatist    |   Thursday, 19 October 2023

For the upcoming 21st century, the Royal Canadian Mint planned to issue special circulation coins to be released each month. The reverse designs, to replace the caribou, were selected from over 66,000 designs submitted by Canadians for the Create a Centsation! coin design contest.

25 cents 1999

The 1999 series were made to commemorate the last 1,000 years in Canada. The Mint established a broader relationship with Canada Post to distribute the circulation Millennium coins throughout over 7,000 postal outlets.

Canada Post has traditionally distributed only the Mint's numismatic products. This significantly expanded the breadth of distribution across the country, ensuring most Canadians had access to these coins.

The complete set was available in a sterling silver collectors' edition for about $150 or as a regular set for $25.

25 cents 2000

The selected 12 designs were made to express Canadians hopes for the new millenium. While the 1999 coins were labeled with their month of issue, the 2000 coins were labeled with the relevant theme.

Each circulating coins from 1999 and 2000 were 99.9% nickel

Sets and special editions

Sets were also released by the Royal Canadian Mint for these coins, including special ones and silver proof ones. A special medallion was included in the set, both in 1999 and 2000.

Both in January and July 2000, special red coloured coins were also sold in a blister pack with the following text inside the Celebration themed one:

Celebrating our Future

The Celebration coin from the 2000 Millennium Sereies has been given a splash of colour to highlight Canada's Flag - a symbol that is embraced around the world. Bright, dazzling and full of energy, this coin captures the spirit of this dynamic nation.

The coin was designed by Laura Paxton of Thunder Bay, Ontario, one of over 66,000 Canadians who shared their hopes and dreams for the next millennium in the Royal Canadian Mint's Create a Centsation! coin design contest.

Mintage: 25 000 - Diameter: 23.88 mm - Composition: Nickel 99% min. - Weight: 5.050 g

Errors and varieties

Errors for these coins were largely studied by Patrick Glassford and many more were found. The most popular variety is the 2000 Community mule. it can be identified by the P on the obverse, under the queen. Around 5 examples only are known.

Price guide and values

Because most people kept several of these coins, the value, even if a set is complete, isn't very high. Some varieties, mostly rotated die, do have a premium.

25 cents 1990 to 2003 price guide and values

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