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