It is a discovery that sends heats pounding and opens a door 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 the Provinces of Alberta and Saskatchewan was a lush sub-tropical shore and home to over 35 dinosaur species.

As these animals died, the evolving landscape covered their bones with millenia 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.

It is easily identified by its six foot long crest curving out from the back of its head which paleontologists believe was used for communication, an important capability for these rather docile herbivores that relied on their herds for protection.

With long hind legs and shorter fore legs, Parasaurolophus could alternate between four-legged and two-legged stances; gerally using all four legs to forage for food and rearing up on its hind legs to sprint away from predators.

The Coin

This $4 coin is certified to be 99.99% pure silver with a weight of 15.87 gm and a diameter of 34 mm. It is limited to a mintage of 20,000 worldwide and comes in a presentation case.

Designed by Canadian artist Kerri Burnett, its design features a Parasaurolophus fossil with its prominent crest. A special finish has been applied to give its design an aged appearance.

The obverse features the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Susanna Blunt.

$44.95 CDN

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