2020 Gold Proof 50p Coin – Dinosauria: Iguanodon

The 2020 Gold Proof 50p Coin - Dinosauria: Iguanodon

This is the second coin in the Dinosauria Collection. It is 22 carat gold and weighs 15.5g. The limited edition issue was 350.

In 1822, Mary Ann Mantell (1795-1869) while out walking with her husband, noticed a large tooth on the side of the road and couldn't recognise it as any animal she had seen before. Her husband Gideon Mantell (1790-1852) was an English obstetrician, geologist and palaeontologist, who immediately began to wonder if it could be from the same creatures that Buckland had found.

There was some debate but eventually it was concluded that this was in the dinosaur family. After finding other bones, Mary sketched out what it may have looked like and thought it was like an Iguana. Gideon wanted to call it an 'Iguana-saurus' but after consultation decided to call it 'Iguanodon'.

Gideon Mantell published a book in 1827 called 'Illustrations of the Geology of Sussex', and it featured some of Mary's illustrations, including the Iguanodon. You can find a free copy of the book if you search the Internet.

On 24 June 2000, the Mantell Monument was unveiled at Cuckfield, West Sussex, at the site that is believed to be the location of the initial discovery. The plaque shows photographs of both Gideon and Mary.

These coins are available (subject to stock) from the Royal Mint Shop.

The coin Reverse, by Robert Nicholls, shows the Iguanodon.

The Obverse shows a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Jody Clark.

Besides the Gold Proof, the coin is available as BU, Coloured BU, Silver Proof, and Coloured Silver Proof.

Image credit: The Royal Mint

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