Obverse. Photo © Royal Mint
  • 50 Pence 2021, Sp# H96, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, Dinosauria Collection, Dimorphodon
  • 50 Pence 2021, Sp# H96, United Kingdom (Great Britain), Elizabeth II, Dinosauria Collection, Dimorphodon
Description

The Royal Mint, in collaboration with the Natural History Museum, has launched a commemorative coin collection celebrating fossil hunter and pioneering palaeontologist Mary Anning (1799–1847).

This is the second coin collection that features prehistoric creatures and is entitled “Tales of the Earth.” Featuring a design by palaeo-artist Robert Nicholls who specialises in producing anatomically accurate reconstructions of natural history specimens, this 50p coin was designed with the expert guidance of the Earth Sciences Department of the Natural History Museum. Available as a gold and silver Proof, colour-printed silver Proof, colour-printed Brilliant Uncirculated exclusive to The Royal Mint and standard Brilliant Uncirculated edition, it’s a fitting tribute to one of Britain’s greatest fossil hunters, Mary Anning (1799–1847) who became known around the world for finds she made in Jurassic marine fossil beds in the cliffs along the English Channel at Lyme Regis in the county of Dorset in Southwest England. Anning's findings contributed to changes in scientific thinking about prehistoric life and the history of the Earth. Her discoveries included the first correctly identified ichthyosaur skeleton; the first two nearly complete plesiosaur skeletons; the first pterosaur skeleton located outside Germany; and fish fossils.

After her death in 1847, Anning's unusual life story attracted increasing interest. Charles Dickens wrote an article about Anning's life in February 1865 in his literary magazine All the Year Round. In 2010 the Royal Society included Anning in a list of the ten British women who have most influenced the history of science.

Obverse

The fifth crowned portrait of HM Queen Elizabeth II facing right, wearing the George IV State Diadem and drop earrings.

The George IV State Diadem, officially the Diamond Diadem, is a type of crown that was made in 1820 for King George IV. The diadem is worn by queens and queens consort in procession to coronations and State Openings of Parliament. The piece of jewellery has been featured in paintings and on stamps and currency. It can be seen in the Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace.

ELIZABETH II DEI GRATIA REGINA FIDEI DEFENSATRIX means Elizabeth II, by the grace of God, Queen and Defender of the Faith.

Engraver: Jody Clark

·ELIZABETH II·D·G·REG·F·D·50 PENCE·2021
J.C

Reverse

Depicts a Dimorphodon and its leg bone between Mesozoic plants. The designer's initials RN (for Robert Nicholls) on the right.

Dimorphodon was a genus of medium-sized pterosaur from the early Jurassic Period. It was named by paleontologist Richard Owen in 1859. Dimorphodon means "two-form tooth", derived from the Greek δι (di) meaning "two", μορφη (morphe) meaning "shape" and οδων (odon) meaning "tooth", referring to the fact that it had two distinct types of teeth in its jaws – which is comparatively rare among reptiles.

The first fossil remains now attributed to Dimorphodon were found in England by Mary Anning, at Lyme Regis in Dorset, UK in December 1828.

DIMORPHODON
RN
MARY ANNING 1828

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

Related coins

5th portrait, Silver Proof Coin, Megalosaurus

Dinosauria Collection

Silver, 8 g, ⌀ 27.3 mm
5th portrait, Megalosaurus

Dinosauria Collection

Cupronickel, 8 g, ⌀ 27.3 mm
5th portrait, Megalosaurus

Dinosauria Collection

Cupronickel, 8 g, ⌀ 27.3 mm