Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Record
Daily Record
Lifestyle
Linda Howard

Royal Mint releases new collection of 50p coins featuring dinosaurs

A range of commemorative 50p coins will be emblazoned with dinosaurs to mark Britain's contribution to discovering the prehistoric creatures.

The coins feature three different dinosaurs, the fossils of which led British anatomist Sir Richard Owen to coin the term "Dinosauria" in a paper in 1842, the Royal Mint and Natural History Museum said.

The iguanodon 50p pieces go on sale next month (The Royal Mint/PA Wire)

View the Royal Mint Dinosauria Collection here

The renowned Victorian scientist applied the name, meaning "fearfully great lizards", after realising the fossils of Megalosaurus, Iguanodon and Hylaeosaurus shared common characteristics.

Clare Matterson, executive director of engagement at the Natural History Museum said: "The story of the discovery of dinosaurs is fascinating and particularly relevant for the Natural History Museum since Sir Richard Owen, who coined the term dinosaur, was also our founder.

"The Dinosauria collection brings this story to life for modern day dinosaur enthusiasts everywhere."

The hylaeosaurus also features in the Dinosauria Collection (The Royal Mint/PA Wire)

The illustrations by paleoartist Robert Nicholls are scientifically accurate representations of the prehistoric beasts.

The Megalosaurus coin is available to buy on the Royal Mint website from today, the Iguanodon from March 16 and the Hylaeosaurus from April 6.

View the Royal Mint Dinosauria Collection here

You can buy this coin on the Royal Mint website now (Royal Mint)

 

 

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.