2020 Great Britain 50p 8-gm CuNi Dinosauria Collection Megalosaurus BU

Beware the Megalosaurus — The First Dinosaur

First named by William Buckland in 1824, Megalosaurus was a large carnivorous dinosaur that measured about 29 feet long. Its name means “Big Lizard” and it prowled in what is today Southeast England during the Jurassic Period more than 145 million years ago. Its main claim to fame, however, is that in addition to being the first dinosaur fossil discovered in England, it’s also the first dinosaur to be given a scientific name, thus starting the whole science of paleontology. It’s only fitting, then, that this terrifying creature is depicted on the first release in a new series of dinosaur coins from Great Britain’s Royal Mint.

Struck in collaboration with the National History Museum, the series is called “The Dinosauria Collection” after the term created by British paleontologist Richard Owen in 1842 to refer to this prehistoric species of animals. Owen created the term out of the Greek words deinos, meaning “terrible” or “fearfully great,” and sauros, meaning “lizard” or “reptile” to represent the study of these creatures. Each design in the series will feature images created with guidance of the National History Museum for a more accurate depiction than previously seen on other coins. This Megalosaurus, for example, is shown with small “feathers” and scars around its face from battle with other dinosaurs. The coin also features the words MEGALOSAURUS and BUCKLAND 1824.

Struck in 8 grams of copper-nickel, the 2020 Great Britain Dinosauria Collection Megalosaurus coin has a legal-tender value of 50 Pence. Plus, each coin available in this offer comes in original Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) condition as fresh and crisp as the day it left the mint. Plus, each will also come beautifully displayed in an illustrated storycard/holder that even includes a pop-up Megalosaurus!

Don’t miss the start of this all-new series! Order yours now before our supply of these coins becomes extinct!

FIRST RELEASE IN A NEW SERIES – Megalosaurus is the first release in a new coin series from The Royal Mint called “The Dinosauria Collection” produced in collaboration with the National History Museum.

BEAUTIFUL COPPER-NICKEL SHEEN – Each Dinosauria Collection Megalosaurus coin offer here was struck in 8 grams of copper-nickel and measures 27.3 mm in diameter.

LEGAL TENDER IN GREAT BRITAIN – These seven-sided Dinosauria Collection Megalosaurus coins are 50 Pence legal tender in the United Kingdom

BRILLIANT UNCIRCULATED CONDITION – Your 2020 Great Britain Dinosauria Collection Megalosaurus coin comes in original Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) condition.

ORIGINAL GOVERNMENT PACKAGING – Each 2020 Great Britain Dinosauria Collection Megalosaurus coin will come displayed in an illustrated storycard/holder that includes a pop-up Megalosaurus.

Until 1842, no one had ever even heard of the word “dinosaur” But that changed after Richard Owen grouped a trio of prehistoric animals together that had several curious features in common. His term has since changed the way the world thinks about fossil reptiles. This 2020 Great Britain Dinosauria Collection Megalosaurus coin may just change the way you think about dinosaurs, too. Click one to your cart today!