Royal Mint Unveils New Dinosaur Coin Collection
Royal Mint in collaboration with the London Natural History Museum and palaeoartist Bob Nicholls have unveiled a trio of new dinosaur coins. The 50p coins feature iconic dinosaur genera. There is a Diplodocus dinosaur coin, along with a Tyrannosaurus and a Stegosaurus.
Picture Credit: The Royal Mint
A Dinosaur Coin Collection
Each design featuring the iconic dinosaur specimens has been created by palaeoartist Robert Nicholls and depicts a scientifically accurate reconstruction of the dinosaur and the environment in which it lived.
Picture credit: The Royal Mint
Rebecca Morgan, Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint commented:
“We are excited to reveal the roar-some new collectable 50p coins by The Royal Mint, featuring some of the most legendary and mighty dinosaurs of all time – including Tyrannosaurus, Stegosaurus, and Diplodocus. For nearly 200 million years, dinosaurs roamed the Earth so it’s fitting that they are honoured forever on an official UK coin. Seeing these dinosaurs on a 50p coin we hope it will delight and inspire both current and budding palaeontologists for years to come.”
Tyrannosaurus on a 50p Coin
This trio of dinosaur coins are part of a series entitled “Tales of the Earth”. These coins celebrate the amazing diversity of prehistoric animals. According to the media release, although Tyrannosaurus is a famous genus, this is the first time this iconic animal has featured on a UK fifty pence piece.
Picture credit: The Royal Mint
All three dinosaurs, Tyrannosaurus, Diplodocus and Stegosaurus feature in the Natural History Museum model series.
To view this range: Natural History Museum Dinosaur Models.
Stegosaurus Becomes Currency
Each design is a scientifically accurate reconstruction of the dinosaur and the environment in which it lived. Professor Paul Barrett acted as scientific consultant on the project. A selection of the coins available will feature colour, bringing the dinosaur to life on an official UK coin, depicting the dinosaur and its environment as it would have looked like.
Designer Bob Nicholls stated:
“I have dedicated my life to bringing extinct animals back to life through art, I started drawing dinosaurs as soon as I could hold a pencil – it is my obsession. Any project that allows me to work with long-dead animals is a joy but having an opportunity to create collectable coins for The Royal Mint, with royal approval, is very special indeed.”
Picture credit: The Royal Mint
This prestigious 50p dinosaur coin series is available to purchase from The Royal Mint’s website. There are special colour editions too. Prices start from £11 (at time of publication).
A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur exclaimed:
“What a fantastic collaboration! A new dinosaur coin collection featuring iconic dinosaurs has been created. It is great to see institutions such as The Royal Mint, the London Natural History Museum working with top designers like Bob Nicholls. Dinosaur fans will be delighted.”
Visit the award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.
Everything Dinosaur acknowledges the assistance of a media release from The Royal Mint in the compilation of this article.