Obverse. Photo © Royal Mint
  • 50 Pence 2024, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Charles III, Ice Age Giants, Steppe Mammoth
  • 50 Pence 2024, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Charles III, Ice Age Giants, Steppe Mammoth
  • 50 Pence 2024, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Charles III, Ice Age Giants, Steppe Mammoth, Box with a certificate of authenticity
Description

The Ice Age Giants series is a numismatic tribute to the remarkable creatures of the Pleistocene epoch, a time when Earth was dominated by majestic megafauna like mammoths, woolly rhinos, and giant deer. This three-coin collection was created in partnership with the Natural History Museum, guided by palaeobiologist Professor Adrian Lister, to educate and inspire curiosity about the biodiversity of the Ice Age. Each coin captures the distinct characteristics of these prehistoric species and offers a snapshot of a time when massive animals roamed regions just beyond glacial boundaries, where rich vegetation supported their survival.

The artistry of the Ice Age Giants series goes beyond aesthetic appeal; it immerses collectors and enthusiasts in the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of the Ice Age. By depicting each species’ unique adaptations—like the woolly mammoth’s dense fur and high-crowned molars for cold endurance, or the giant deer’s impressive antlers shaped by sexual selection—these coins provide insight into how these animals thrived in harsh, evolving climates. Informative narratives accompany each coin, deepening the connection to these lost worlds and making the series both an artistic and educational experience.

As the Ice Age waned, many of these giants faced extinction due to habitat shifts, dwindling resources, and human hunting. Yet, preserved remains found in Siberia and other regions continue to reveal how these creatures adapted to Earth’s changing landscapes. Through the Ice Age Giants series, their legacy endures, inspiring future generations to reflect on the resilience and fragility of Earth’s biodiversity.

Obverse

Depicts King Charles III’s effigy, surrounded by the Latin inscription. Engraver's initials on the neck.

CHARLES III DEI GRATIA REX FIDEI DEFENSOR means King Charles III, by the Grace of God King, Defender of the Faith.

Engraver: Martin Jennings (MJ)

•CHARLES III•D•G•REX•F•D•50 PENCE•2024
MJ

Reverse

Depicts a scientifically accurate illustration of the steppe mammoth, ancestor of the woolly mammoth, with its skeleton positioned between Early and Middle Pleistocene plants on the front. The designer's initials, RN (for acclaimed palaeo-artist Robert Nicholls), appear on the right.

The steppe mammoth, Mammuthus trogontherii, is an extinct mammoth species that thrived across northern Eurasia during the Early and Middle Pleistocene, roughly 1.7 million to 200,000 years ago. Originating in East Asia, these mammoths were among the largest of their kind, with males reaching an impressive 4 meters at the shoulder and weighing approximately 11 tonnes. Characterized by high-domed skulls, deep jaws, and long, spiraled tusks—some of which measured up to 4.2 meters—the steppe mammoth’s adaptations positioned it well for the cold, open steppe habitats it occupied. Fossils have been discovered from Western Europe to Northern Asia, where it lived alongside early humans, who likely butchered the species on occasion. This mammoth is considered a direct ancestor of the woolly and Columbian mammoths, with several populations demonstrating the evolution toward traits later perfected by the woolly mammoth for cold environments.

Engraver: Robert Nicholls (RN)

MAMMUTHUS
RN
STEPPE MAMMOTH

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Gold
Fineness 0.91667
Weight 15.5 g
Diameter 27.3 mm
Thickness -
Shape polygon
Sides 7
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Mint

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