This 2015 $20 pure silver coin is the fourth and final coin in the "Canadian Dinosaurs" series. The reverse image by Canadian artist Julius Csotonyi features an interpretation of how Albertosaurus sarcophagus may have looked.
The Design:
Presented from the left side in three-quarter profile, this full-body portrait showcases the ancient carnivore's most fascinating traits. The beast's large head is topped with ridge-like horns above its small side-placed eyes. The massive mouth is wide open, presenting the dinosaur's generous rows of sharp, jagged teeth and widely hinged jaw. A short but muscular S-curved neck leads to a thick body with reduced forelimbs bearing two clawed digits and long, powerful hind legs standing on large three-toed feet. In the background, a long tail counterbalances the large head. In this depiction, Albertosaurus sarcophagus is portrayed with filamentous feathers or proto-feathers running along the back of the animal and lining the back of each forelimb. The rest of its scaly body surface is densely pebbled-an element skillfully portrayed in exceptional detail by Royal Canadian Mint engravers. The scientific accuracy of this depiction has been verified by paleontologists at the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology.
The reverse is engraved with the words "CANADA," the date "2015" and the face value of "20 DOLLARS", along with the dinosaur's name "Albertosaurus Sarcophagus". It weighs just over one full ounce of 99.99% fine silver. As a pure silver coin, this item is GST/HST-exempt.