MDM’s Double Silver Giant dinosaur coin series is back with a third release, and it’s the legendary wielder of the thagomizer, Stegosaurus

Similar in concept to Precious Metal Collector’s ‘Bi-Metal Max’ coins, MDM’s ‘Double Silver Giant’ series takes a silver skin and places it on a far larger copper core. This allows for vastly larger coins for the weight of precious metal, while simultaneously keeping prices far more affordable. However, while PMC’s coins completely cover the copper in the silver skin, MDM have cleverly chosen to incorporate the look of the copper into the overall aesthetic.

These are thick, 60 mm diameter coins, yet have just two faces of silver, each five grams in weight. The copper part weighs in at a far larger 145 grams, and forms an attractive edge, as well as serving as a neat border for both the reverse and obverse faces. It also allows for good levels of high-relief, and contrasts well with the antique finish on the silver

It’s another fine design for the 2023 issue, with a Stegosaurus shown in fuller form, rather than as a portrait, like the T. Rex and Triceratops coins. This is no doubt due to those earlier subjects having their distinctiveness defined by their facial features, whereas Stegosaurus is commonly associated with its weaponised tail and plated spine. Whatever the case, it’s a great design, with little compromise to suit the shape of a coin. The common obverse returns, with eight mini dinosaurs surrounding the coat-of-arms of Vanuatu, returns.

Boxed, with a Certificate of Authenticity, the mintage is identical at 1,999 pieces. Our love of dino coins here is well known, but even in that genre, we have a soft spot for these exceptionally well done coins. We’ll add it to our slowly progressing guide to dinosaur coins, which should be live soon. Available to order now, you should be able to bag one for a sub-$100/€100 price.

TRICERATOPS

Stegosaurus is a genus of herbivorous dinosaur that dates to the Late Jurassic period, where they are found in strata, between 155 and 150 million years ago, in the western United States and Portugal. The remains of over 80 individual animals of this genus have been found. Stegosaurus would have lived alongside dinosaurs such as Apatosaurus, Diplodocus, Brachiosaurus, Allosaurus, and Ceratosaurus; the latter two may have preyed on it.

These were large, heavily built, herbivorous quadrupeds with rounded backs, short fore limbs, long hind limbs, and tails held high in the air. Due to their distinctive combination of broad, upright plates and tail tipped with spikes, Stegosaurus is one of the most recognizable kinds of dinosaurs. The function of this array of plates and spikes has been the subject of much speculation among scientists. Today, it is generally agreed that their spiked tails were most likely used for defence against predators, while their plates may have been used primarily for display, and secondarily for thermoregulatory functions.

Stegosaurus had a relatively low brain-to-body mass ratio. It had a short neck and a small head, meaning it most likely ate low-lying bushes and shrubs. Stegosaurus remains were first identified during the “Bone Wars” by Othniel Charles Marsh at Dinosaur Ridge National Landmark. The first known skeletons were fragmentary, and the bones were scattered, and it would be many years before the true appearance of these animals, including their posture and plate arrangement, became well understood. (WIKIPEDIA)

SPECIFICATION
DENOMINATION 10 Vatu (Vanuatu)
SILVER CONTENT 2 x 5 grams 0.999
COPPER CONTENT 145 grams
DIMENSIONS 60.0 mm
FINISH Antique
MODIFICATIONS Ultra high-relief
MINTAGE 1,999
BOX / C.O.A. Yes / Yes