2009 1/2oz $4 DINOSAUR COLLECTION - TYRANNOSAURUS REX

2009 $4 Dinosaur Collection 4 Coin Series - Tyrannosaurus Rex (3nd coin in series) (TAX Exempt)

It is a discovery that sends hearts pounding and opens a window to the mystifying world of dinosaurs. Their fossilized bones testify to the massive beasts that once ruled the earth but disappeared suddenly 65 million years ago.

During the time of these great beasts, a great inland sea covered much of western Canada and the area now known as Alberta and Saskatchewan was a lush subtropical shore and home to over 35 dinosaur species. As these animals died, the evolving landscape covered their bones with centuries of mud and sand only to be revealed when the glaciers from the last Ice Age scraped away the top layers of rock and exposed bits of fossilized bone. Discoveredby palaeontologists in the late 1800's, they inspired generations of dinosaur hunters and established Canada as one of the richest sources of Late Cretaceous fossils on earth.

Tyrannosaurus rex was one of several large carnivore (tyrannosaur) species that lived in Alberta, appearing shortly before the mysterious mass extinction. Its name means "tyrant lizard" and there is no doubt it still rules today as the most popularized image of these prehistoric animals.

The mighty Tyrannosaurus rex measured up to 12 m (39 ft) from head to tail. It had a gaping one-metre (3 ft) bite with 10 to 15cm (4 to 6 in) long teeth that could rip out hundreds of pounds of flesh at a time.

Specifications:
Item number: 623429
Face Value: 4 dollar
Mintage: 20,000
Composition: 99.99% silver
Weight (g): 15.87
Diameter (mm): 34.0
Edge: Serrated
Finish: Proof

Special Features:
Its design of a Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton accentuates the immense jaws of this formidable predator. Third coin in a series featuring dinosaur fossils following 2007 Parasaurolophus and 2008 Triceratops. The Dromaeosaurus will be issued in 2010. A selective finish has been applied to the reverse of the coin to give its design an aged appearance. Variations in tone and colour are a direct result of this process. No two coins will be alike. Designs approved by the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology.

Packaging:
Each coin is encapsulated and presented in a maroon clamshell case lined with flock and protected by a black sleeve.