Obverse. Photo © Royal Mint
  • 50 Pence 2024, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Charles III, Ice Age Giants, Giant Deer
  • 50 Pence 2024, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Charles III, Ice Age Giants, Giant Deer
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 giant deer, 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 giant deer, or Megaloceros giganteus, was a colossal Ice Age herbivore distinguished by its immense antlers, which could span up to 12 feet across. Thriving in the open woodlands and grasslands of Eurasia during the Pleistocene epoch, these deer evolved their distinctive antlers due to sexual selection, with males displaying them in seasonal competitions for mates. Standing over seven feet tall at the shoulders, they grazed on grass, leaves, and shrubs, relying on their large size and thick coats to endure colder climates. Despite their adaptations, changing habitats and food scarcity following the Ice Age likely contributed to their extinction around 7,700 years ago, leaving a fascinating record of evolutionary history through preserved skeletons across Europe and Asia.

Engraver: Robert Nicholls (RN)

MEGALOCEROS
RN
GIANT DEER

Edge
Characteristics
Type Commemorative Issue (Non-circulating)
Material Cupronickel
Weight 8 g
Diameter 27.3 mm
Thickness -
Shape polygon
Sides 7
Alignment Medal
Mint
Royal Mint

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