2022 $1 Australian Dinosaurs - Elaphrosaurine theropod Coin & Stamp Cover PNC
The elaphrosaurine theropod has not yet been assigned to any genus, as its skeleton is so incomplete. It was a toothless theropod ("three-toed") dinosaur species related to Elaphrosaurus (light-footed lizard).
This dinosaur has been described from a single neck vertebra bone discovered near Cape Otway in Victoria in 2015. The sediments at the site date from the Early Cretaceaous around 110-107 million years ago.
During this period, the climate of the Cape Otway region was cold, indicating that this animal could tolerate near-polar temperatures, which were warmer than that area today, as there were no ice caps.
It ran low to the ground on two legs, and had a slender body, long neck, stubby arms and possibly toothless skull.
It probably had a plant-based diet and did not hunt prey. Evidence suggest that elaphrosaurs started life eating a range of foods, possibly including tiny monotremes, insects and fruits, but shed their teeth as they aged, to be replaced by a horney beak.
The coin's obverse features the Jody Clark effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the monetary denomination.
Affixed to the envelope is an official Australia Post International $1.10 stamp. Postmarked for the First Day of Issue 5 September 2022, Winton QLD 4735.
Australian legal tender
Denomination : $1
Quality : Uncirculated
Metal : Aluminium Bronze
Weight : 9.00 gms
Diameter : 25 mm
Mintage : 7,500
Certificate of Authenticity : Australia Post Seal of Authenticity