By Royal Canadian Mint ……
Greek for “Reaper of Death”, the Thanatotheristes degrootorum is a fascinating find for Canada: the first new tyrannosaur species to be discovered in the country in over 50 years. Paleoartist Julius Csotonyi, who was the first to ever illustrate the fearsome prehistoric animal, sketched the reverse design of this new 99.99% pure silver coin forever preserving this unique addition to the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology’s world-renowned dinosaur fossil collection. Csotonyi meticulously replicated the formation in which the fossil fragments were found.
The discovery of the Thanatotheristes degrootorum enhances the understanding of paleontologists into Canada’s prehistoric past. Estimated to be at the top of the food chain, this tyrannosaur species pre-dates the Tyrannosaurus rex by 12 million years and is estimated to have been eight meters (26 feet) long. The fossil fragments, found by John and Sandra De Groot while out on a family walk along the Bow River in Alberta, are the inspiration for this coin. The fossilized skull of the giant appears atop the black-rhodium plated coin, giving it a rocky texture and truly capturing the story of this frighteningly named, toothy, two-legged carnivore. This exciting coin, and many others, can be ordered from the Mint as of today.
Other coins offered this month include:
- The 2020 $10 Fine Silver Coin – O Canada! The Great Outdoors, part of a six-coin series that each depicts a famous Canadian symbol or scene from the artist’s perspective;
- The 2020 110 oz. Pure Gold Coin – Tribute to Alex Colville – 1967 1-Cent Coin, a timeless piece in honor of the 100th anniversary of his birth;
- The 2021 $3 Fine Silver Coin – Floral Emblems of Canada – Nunavut Purple Saxifrage, designed by artist Lisa Thomson-Khan;
- The 2021 $5 Fine Silver Coin – Silver Maple Leaf – W Mint Mark, an ever-popular coin amongst collectors and struck at the Mint’s Winnipeg facility;
- The 2021 $20 Pure Gold Coin – 100th Anniversary of Canada’s Coat of Arms, featuring the Coat of Arms created for Canada in 1921 in extraordinary detail;
- The 2021 $50 Fine Silver Coin – The First 100 Years of Confederation – Coming of Age, designed by artist Glen Green, featuring the effigies of five monarchs on a single coin;
- The 2021 $50 Pure Gold Coin – Gold Maple Leaf – W Mint Mark, a Winnipeg-struck tribute to the Mint’s world-renowned Gold Maple Leaf bullion coin;
- The 2021 $125 Fine Silver Coin – Triumphant Dragon, featuring the artwork of Simon Ng;
- The 2021 $200 Pure Gold Coin – Celebrating Canada’s Diversity Eternal Love, a Celtic-inspired tribute by Bonnie Ross;
- The 2021 Fine Silver Proof Set – 100th Anniversary of Bluenose, featuring the legendary schooner in a selectively gold-plated glimmer; and
- The 2021 Special Wrap Roll Collection – First Strikes, uncirculated editions of the first 2021-dated coins.
Mintages, pricing, and full background information on each product can be found on the “Shop” tab of www.mint.ca. They may be ordered as of today by contacting the Mint at 1-800-267‑1871 in Canada, 1-800-268‑6468 in the US, or at www.mint.ca.
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About the Royal Canadian Mint
The Royal Canadian Mint is the Crown corporation responsible for the minting and distribution of Canada’s circulation coins. The Mint is recognized as one of the largest and most versatile mints in the world, offering a wide range of specialized, high-quality coinage products and related services on an international scale. For more information on the Mint, its products and services, visit www.mint.ca.
