Create a list of articles to read later. You will be able to access your list from any article in Discover.
You don't have any saved articles.
Natural History Museum launches second coin collection with The Royal Mint
In a continuation of the Tales of the Earth series, the Natural History Museum has today launched the first coin from its second collection with The Royal Mint, an ongoing collaboration of 50p coins that celebrates the fascinating stories of awe-inspiring creatures discovered here in Britain. This brand-new collection shines a spotlight on the astonishing discoveries of Mary Anning, a fossil hunter whose remarkable finds helped scientists to further their understanding of the mighty creatures that once ruled the seas and skies.
The first coin in this three-part collection features Temnodontosaurus, a huge marine predator and one of the largest types of ichthyosaur that inhabited our ancient oceans. Coins featuring both Plesiosaurus and Dimorphodon will launch later in the year completing this collection commemorating the incredible fossils unearthed by Mary Anning along what is now known as the Jurassic Coast. Based on current understanding and with the expert guidance of Sandra Chapman from the Earth Sciences Department of the Natural History Museum, the coin designs depict a scientifically accurate reconstruction of each species and the environment in which it lived.
Clare Matterson, Executive Director of Engagement at the Natural History Museum said: “We are thrilled to continue working with The Royal Mint on the Tales of the Earth series. The Mary Anning Collection celebrates a pivotal figure in the understanding of palaeontology, important contributions to science that were rarely acknowledged in Mary’s lifetime. It is fantastic to see Mary celebrated in such a special way in 2021.”
Clare Maclennan, Divisional Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint said, ‘We are thrilled to be working alongside the Natural History Museum again to launch a second coin collection celebrating Britain’s fossil hunter and palaeontologist Mary Anning. We celebrate Mary Anning’s legacy and remarkable scientific finds with three commemorative coins featuring the Temnodontosaurus, Plesiosaurus and the Dimorphodon.’
Available in Brilliant Uncirculated, Silver Proof and Gold Proof versions, the full collection is available online now at www.royalmint.com/
Notes to Editors:
Media contact: Tel: +44 (0)20 7942 5654/ +44 (0)7799 690151/ Email: press@nhm.ac.uk
About the Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is both a world-leading science research centre and the most visited natural history museum in Europe. With a vision of a future in which both people and the planet thrive, it is uniquely positioned to be a powerful champion for balancing humanity’s needs with those of the natural world.
It is custodian of one of the world’s most important scientific collections comprising over 80 million specimens. The scale of this collection enables researchers from all over the world to document how species have and continue to respond to environmental changes - which is vital in helping predict what might happen in the future and informing future policies and plans to help the planet.
The Museum’s 300 scientists continue to represent one of the largest groups in the world studying and enabling research into every aspect of the natural world. Their science is contributing critical data to help the global fight to save the future of the planet from the major threats of climate change and biodiversity loss through to finding solutions such as the sustainable extraction of natural resources.
The Museum uses its enormous global reach and influence to meet its mission to create advocates for the planet - to inform, inspire and empower everyone to make a difference for nature. We welcome over five million visitors each year, our digital output reaches hundreds of thousands of people in over 200 countries each month and our touring exhibitions have been seen by around 30 million people in the last 10 years.
Media enquiries - The Royal Mint Press Office:
0845 600 5018 (calls cost 5p per minute) or email press.office@royalmint.com www.facebook.com/theroyalmint
Images
The Royal Mint retains copyright ownership © of all images. These may only be used for editorial purposes and cannot be sold or used for other marketing purposes without the permission of The Royal Mint.
About The Royal Mint
The Royal Mint has an unbroken history of minting British coinage dating back over 1,100 years. Based in the Tower of London for over 500 years, by 1812 The Royal Mint had moved out of the Tower to premises on London’s Tower Hill. In 1967 the building of a new Royal Mint began on its current site in South Wales, UK, to accommodate the minting of UK decimal coinage.
Today, The Royal Mint is the world’s largest export mint, supplying coins to the UK and overseas countries.
The Royal Mint has also diversified into a number of other complementary businesses, building on the values that have been at the heart of the organisation throughout its history - authenticity, security, precious metals, craftsmanship and design:
Precious Metals
Throughout history The Royal Mint’s name has been synonymous with precious metals and bullion. The organisation trades physical and digital precious metal worldwide and has a global network of distributor partners.
Consumer coin division
The organisation runs a thriving commemorative coin business, gifting, and a collector services division retailing historic coins, an authentication and valuation service and secure storage.
The Royal Mint Experience
The Royal Mint entered the tourism business in 2016 when it opened its popular visitor centre, The Royal Mint Experience, at its home in Llantrisant, South Wales. The attraction welcomes around 100,000 visitors a year.