FINE SILVER COIN 99.9% SILVER

CERTIFIED CERTIFICATE

The original raptor, the vicious Dromaeosaurus, is uncovered on this affordable, pure silver proof with an intriguing $4 denomination! 

Imagine the thrill of unearthing the skull of a prehistoric creature - a terrifying, dragon-like beast, the likes of which the world had never before seen! This was the scene near near the red Deer River in Alberta, Canada in 1914, when the first Dromaeosaurus skull, nearly a foot long, was discovered. The world had never seen a raptor dinosaur before, but it would soon be the stuff of fantastic fiction! The velociraptor may get all the attention due to its appearance in Jurassic Park, but Dromaeosaurus was the original raptor. With clawed hands on its forelimbs and sharp, recurved teeth, it was perfectly equipped for slicing into its prey! A Vicious Killer Velociraptor, move over! Dromaeosaurus was a vicious, medium-sized hunter that had a mouth full of serrated, razor-sharp teeth and a sharp, hooked claw on each foot that it used to clamp down on its victims. It was about the size of a large dog or wolf, about six to nine feet (two to three meters) long. Its jaws were long and solidly built for its size, and its neck was curved and flexible. It may have been able to smell its prey, and it probably possessed a good sense of hearing. Its tail was sheathed in a lattice of bony rods but was flexible at the base, allowing it to be carried in a sharply upturned, aerial-like position. Its remarkably large eyes gave it excellent vision. Its vicious sickle-like claws, although shorter than those of other dromaeosaurs, still gave it a distinct advantage over most of its prey. The first Dromaeosaurus remains were found by renowned fossil hunter Barnum Brown on the south bank of the Red Deer River in Alberta, Canada in 1914, the first such raptor-type dinosaur ever discovered! It was the first dromaeosaur to be discovered and its name was later used for the family, Dromaeosauridae. The species was named by W.D. Matthews and Brown in 1922. When first discovered, Dromaeosaurus was hard to classify. It had such large foot bones that it was thought to be a much larger dinosaur. It had a large brain for its size, large eyes and grasping hands. Because of this, scientists thought that it was more than twice its actual size. It wasn’t until almost 50 years after the discovery of the type specimen that it was formally classified into its own family. All the other raptor dinosaurs, such as Deinonychus and Velociraptor, are members of the dromaeosaur family. Several later discoveries disclosed Dromaeosaurus teeth among the bones of much larger dinosaurs. This led to speculation that dromaeosaurs hunted in packs and made coordinated attacks against larger animals, but the teeth may simply have washed into the sites. What is now known is that most, if not all, Dromaeosauridae, including velociraptor, were feathered, and may even be more properly classified as birds! The debate continues whether any members of this family could actually fly, but if they could, they might have been the original dragons! Dromaeosaurus fossils have been found in layers that show that it flourished between 76 and 74 million years ago. It seems to have become extinct about 70 million years ago, well before the Cretaceous/Tertiary Boundary. The type species is D. albertensis. The Dromaeosaurus Dinosaur Fossil $4 Silver Proof is the latest entry in the new and extremely popular

Investment Note

The new Dinosaur Fossil $4 Silver Proofs feature not one, but two, firsts for a Canadian coin series! They are the first Canadian coins with a $4 denomination (face value), and are also the first to feature the Royal Canadian Mint’s new oxidized fossil technology (more on this below). Both these firsts, and the incredibly popular theme (dinosaurs), are all important considerations. Consider too that the dinosaur fossils series is minted in the purest silver (.9999 fine) used anywhere for numismatic purposes. Also important is the mintage limit, which is low for any Canadian pure silver proof, much less one featuring a brand-new applied technology. Perhaps most importantly, these are all very affordable silver proofs, making them a great value. The dinosaur coins seem destined to sell out quickly, so get yours today - these will truly remain among your favorites for years to come! Oxidized Fossil Technology Note The Dromaeosaurus Dinosaur Fossil $4 Silver Proof features a new and patented technology from the Royal Canadian Mint, a special finish selectively applied to the dinosaur fossil image. The RCM leads the world with its proprietary technologies, in which the finish is actually sealed on the coin. The unique patination gives the fossil skeleton an aged appearance. Variations in tone and color are a direct and intentional result of this process, so no two coins will look exactly alike!

Purity Note The Royal Canadian Mint refines the purest silver in the world. The RCM is also the only mint in the world to issue commemorative coins in a .9999 fineness. This one ounce silver proof is 99.99% pure!

Obverse

A depiction of a full Dromaeosaurus fossilized skeleton, posed lunging forward to bite its prey, accentuates the quick and mobile nature of this formidable carnivore. This design has been approved by the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology, and is highlighted in an unique patina by the Royal Canadian Mint’s proprietary oxidized fossil technology. The date of issue and denomination are both indicated.

Reverse

Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II of England, in profile facing right. This portrait, the fourth effigy of the queen to appear on Canadian Coinage, was executed by the artist Susanna Blunt. The legend ELIZABETH II D. G. REGINA (“Elizabeth II, Queen by the Grace of God”) also appears.

Packaging The coin is encapsulated inside a burgundy leatherette, clamshell-style presentation case, lined with black velvet and protected by a black outer sleeve. An individually-numbered certificate of authenticity is included.