2013 - Austria 20 € Prehistoric Life Jurassic - Proof

GIANTS OF THE SKIES

Between 200 and 150 million years ago, the Jurassic was the period when some of the largest animals to have ever existed were in their prime. Among them, Pterosaurus ruled the skies back when the continents of North America and Europe first came into being. These terrifying creatures are brought back to life on both sides of the superb second coin in our Prehistoric Life: Back from the Dead series.

The Rhamphorhynchus, whose skeleton is on display today at the Natural History Museum Vienna, dominates this marvellous 20 euro silver coin’s obverse as it did the prehistoric skies, with its long tail, snout and wings. Below it the creature’s fossil, as well as the timeline, a recurring element that cleverly binds the wholes series together, are also shown. A typical aquatic Jurassic landscape is shown on the coin’s reverse in which a pair of Rhamphorhynchus is pictured among ferns hunting a giant dragonfly in the foreground.

Struck in Proof quality only to a maximum mintage of 50,000. (text: Austrian Mint)