The Royal Mint, in collaboration with the Natural History Museum, has today launched the second 50p in its series of collectable coins featuring the iconic Stegosaurus.

The latest design is part of a three-coin collection featuring the Tyrannosaurus, Stegosaurus and Diplodocus. Each dinosaur has been meticulously designed by renowned British paleo-artist, Robert Nicholls, with expert guidance from Professor Paul Barrett at the Natural History Museum.

Each coin portrays a scientifically accurate reconstruction of the dinosaurs and the environment in which they lived. A selection of the coins available will feature colour, bringing the prehistoric giants back to life on an official UK coin.

The Stegosaurus 50p pays tribute to the Natural History Museum’s own Stegosaurus specimen, fondly referred to as ‘Sophie’. ‘Sophie’ is the world’s most complete Stegosaurus skeleton ever discovered and has helped palaeontologists find answers to many unanswered questions about this species for more than a century.

Rebecca Morgan, Director of Commemorative Coin at The Royal Mint said, “It has been wonderful combining the Natural History Museum’s extensive knowledge of dinosaurs with The Royal Mint’s expertise in coin making, to preserve each prehistoric creature, like the Stegosaurus, on an official UK 50p. As one of the most iconic dinosaur specimens, the Stegosaurus roamed the Earth 200 million years ago, so we’re delighted that this creature now has a permanent home on a fifty pence piece for many years to come.”

Robert Nicholls, designer of The Royal Mint’s Dinosaur 50p coin collection said of his designs, “I have dedicated my life to bringing extinct animals back to life through art, I started drawing dinosaurs as soon as I could hold a pencil – it is my obsession. Any project that allows me to work with long-dead animals is a joy but having an opportunity to create collectable coins for The Royal Mint, with royal approval, is very special indeed.”

Maxine Lister, Head of Licensing at the Natural History Museum, said ‘We are thrilled to continue our work with The Royal Mint on the Tales of the Earth series. Dinosaurs have long since sparked feelings of curiosity and awe, and it is brilliant to see three of the most iconic specimens – including an homage to the beloved Stegosaurus ‘Sophie’ – immortalised on a 50p coin. We hope that this collection will help all, young and old, to share in the wonder of our natural world.”

This is the third coin collection in The Royal Mint’s ‘Tales of the Earth’ series celebrating awe-inspiring ancient creatures and dinosaurs.

The collectable 50p coin series featuring the Stegosaurus is available to purchase from The Royal Mint’s website, with colour editions of the coin also available. Prices start from £12.