Disclosed is a radiation curable composition which includes: (a) an unsaturated ester compound, and (b) a pulverizable vinyl ether compound. The unsaturated ester compound is characterized as having a plurality of unsaturated ester groups per molecule. The pulverizable vinyl ether compound is characterized as including at least one of the following: (a) a compound having an average of greater than 1.0 reactive vinyl ether groups per molecule, and (b) a vinyl ether-containing group bonded to the unsaturated ester compound such that there is an average of at least 1.0 reactive vinyl ether group per molecule. The unsaturated ester compound, the vinyl ether compound and/or a mixture thereof is treated with a reducing agent so as to decompose destabilizing agents present therein that would initiate premature polymerization of the vinyl ether compound. Accordingly, in the stabilized radiation curable coating compositions of this invention, polymerization of the vinyl ether compound is substantially avoided until blended with the unsaturated ester compound and exposed to radiation.