Tyrannosaurus Rex $4 Silver Proof Canadian Coin Released

The Royal Canadian Mint has released the third coin in its Dinosaur Collection, the Tyrannosaurus Rex $4 Silver Proof Coin. The reverse of this unique coin features a skeleton with the massive jaws of the dinosaur, all created with a selective aging technique to appear as a real stone fossil.

Tyrannosaurus Rex History

The tyrannosaurus rex is possibly the most famous and well-known of all dinosaurs, featured not only in museums and history books, but also shown in movies when the most fearsome predatory dinosaur is desired. Estimated to grow 6 meters (19.6 feet) tall and over 15 meters (49.2 feet) in length, it could weigh a massive five to seven metric tons.

T.Rex, as it is also called, was believed to be a carnivore. There is still a debate about whether it was a hunter or scavenger, but with an estimated 3 foot bite and teeth that could be as long as 6 inches it is likely that this massive creature was at the top of the food chain.

Fossils were first discovered in the late 1800’s, but it was not until the early 1900’s that the name Tyrannosaurus (meaning "tyrant lizard") was given. Living from approximately 68 to 65 million years ago in western North America, it became extinct along with the rest of the dinosaurs.

This series of coins is a tribute to the fabulous dinosaur fossils found in Western Canada, like those in the area now called Dinosaur Provincial Park. The first coin in the series was the 2007 Parasaurolophus, a duck-billed dinosaur. The second coin was the Triceratops, with its three horns in 2008.

Tyrannosaurus Rex Coin Specifications and Price

The Tyrannosaurus Rex Coin has a face value of $4 and is made from 99.99% pure silver. It comes in proof condition, with a selective aging process that results in no two coins being exactly alike. It weighs 15.87 grams and has a diameter of 34mm. Limited to a mintage of only 20,000, the coin is sure to be a hit with collectors and children interested in the history of dinosaurs.

According to the Mint, the design was developed in close collaboration with palaeontologists at Alberta’s Royal Tyrell Museum. The selective aging effect employed on the coin ensures no two are exactly alike.

The coin may be ordered from around the world for the price of $42.95 CAD. (View World Currency Converter.)

To order or get more information, visit the Mint product page:

$4 Silver Coin – Tyrannosaurus Rex (2009)

The final installment in the Dinosaur Collection series will be the Dromaeosaurus coin, available next year.

Large Tyrannosaurus Rex $4 Silver Proof Canadian Coin Images