1987 $25 Bermuda Sea Venture Palladium PCGS PR70CAM Pop 1

The 1987 $25 Bermuda Sea Venture Palladium is a highly sought-after coin, especially at the top-tier grade of PCGS PR70CAM with a “Pop 1” designation. Here is a more detailed breakdown, including historical data.

Coin Specifications and History

This coin is officially cataloged as KM# 53 in the Krause Standard Catalog of World Coins. It was minted by the Singapore Mint on behalf of Bermuda. The coin commemorates the Sea Venture, the 17th-century English ship whose wreck off the coast of Bermuda in 1609 led to the permanent settlement of the island. The coin’s design features a striking depiction of the ship on its reverse and a crowned bust of Queen Elizabeth II by Raphael Maklouf on its obverse.

• Year: 1987
• Country: Bermuda
• Denomination: $25
• Composition: .999 fine Palladium
• Weight: 1 troy ounce (31.1000g)
• Diameter: 34 mm
• Edge: Reeded
• Mintage: 15,800 proof coins
• Catalog Number: KM# 53

Grading and “Pop 1” Status

The coin’s value is heavily influenced by its PCGS PR70CAM grade.

• PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service): One of the most respected third-party coin grading services in the world.
• PR70 (Proof 70): A perfect grade, indicating a flawless coin with no visible imperfections under 5x magnification.
• CAM (Cameo): A grade that denotes a strong contrast between the frosted devices (the raised design) and the mirrored fields (the background).
• “Pop 1” (Population 1): This means that as of the most recent PCGS Population Report, only one of these coins has ever been graded at this perfect PR70CAM level. This makes it an incredibly rare specimen and a “trophy coin” for a collector.

Historical Value and Pricing

The value of this coin is not just its melt value, which fluctuates with the price of palladium. Its numismatic value, driven by its rarity and perfect grade, creates a significant premium. While coins from this series in lower grades (like PR69) have sold for around $1,100 to $1,500, a PCGS PR70CAM “Pop 1” is in a different league entirely.

Based on past historical auction data, a coin with this exact designation has sold for $4,750. This sale price highlights the extreme premium placed on unique, perfectly graded coins in the collector market. The “Pop 1” status ensures a very high value, as it represents the single finest-known example of this coin.