Summary

Proof silver coin issued by the Perth Mint featuring Australian dinosaurs that existed in the Cretaceous Period more than 100 million years ago. Obverse designed by Ian Rank-Broadley. Reverse designed by Tom Vaughan. Coin numbered 0231 of 5000. The 'Australian Age of Dinosaurs' Silver Proof coin sets consist of five types of dinosaur: Australovenator, Diamantinasaurus, Leaellynasaura, Minmi and Muttaburrasaurus.
'Leaellynasaura was a small plant-eating bipedal dinosaur. It is thought to have been similar in appearance to other small ornithopod dinosaurs exhibiting a long tail and growing up to two metres in length. Its large eyes were shielded with a strut of bone which may have given this gentle dinosaur a fierce look. '
The Leaellynasaura was discovered in Dinosaur Cove in 1987 by Museum Victoria Vertebrate Palaeontologists Dr Tom Rich and Dr Patricia Vickers-Rich. They named it after their daughter Leaellyn Rich. It is also special as it is one of a few (but growing) number of dinosaurs with female names.
The 1989 holotype specimen of Leaellynasaura amicagraphica is held by Museum Victoria (P185991).

Physical Description

Silver proof coin printed with colour image on reverse. In acrylic capsule, with a case, cardboard box, and leaflet.

Obverse Description

Head of Elizabeth II. Around, 'ELIZABETH II . AUSTRALIA 2010 . 1 DOLLAR'. Beneath head, 'IRB'.

Reverse Description

In foreground, running Leaellynasaura, in silver. In background, in colour, four other Leaellynsaura running under moonlight. Above, 'LEAELLYNASAURA'. Below, '1oz 999 Silver'.

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