The Royal Canadian Mint opened ordering for the 2016 $20 Tyrannosaurus Rex Silver Coin, the latest issue from its popular series of 99.99% pure silver coins that sell at their legal tender face values.
This one should be another hit, especially with youngsters. Known as the king of dinosaurs, the enormous T-Rex is recognized around the world. Fossilized reconstructions make them a centerpiece in museums and imposing CGI recreations have made them stars in films such as Jurassic Park.
The T-Rex coin marks the 19th issued in the product series that launched in 2011. All but the most recent coins have sold out.
| Silver Coins in $20 for $20 Series | Mintage | Sales | Release |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 $20 for $20 Maple Leaf Silver Coin | 200,000 | Sold Out | Feb 2011 |
| 2011 $20 for $20 Canoe Silver Coin | 250,000 | Oct 2011 | |
| 2012 $20 for $20 Polar Bear Silver Coin | 250,000 | Feb 2012 | |
| 2012 $20 for $20 Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Coin | 250,000 | May 2012 | |
| 2012 $20 for $20 Farewell to the Penny Silver Coin | 250,000 | Aug2012 | |
| 2012 $20 for $20 Magical Reindeer Silver Coin | 250,000 | Sept 2012 | |
| 2013 $20 for $20 Hockey Silver Coin | 250,000 | Jan 2013 | |
| 2013 $20 for $20 Wolf Silver Coin | 250,000 | March 2013 | |
| 2013 $20 for $20 Silver Iceberg Silver Coin | 225,000 | July 2013 | |
| 2013 $20 for $20 Santa Silver Coin | 225,000 | Oct2013 | |
| 2014 $20 for $20 Canadian Goose Silver Coin | 225,000 | Jan2014 | |
| 2014 $20 for $20 Bobcat Silver Coin | 225,000 | Feb2014 | |
| 2014 $20 for $20 Summertime Silver Coin | 200,000 | May 2014 | |
| 2014 $20 for $20 Snowman Silver Coin | 200,000 | Oct 2014 | |
| 2015 $20 for $20 FIFA Women’s World Cup Silver Coin | 200,000 | 85% | March 2015 |
| 2015 $20 for $20 Bugs Bunny Silver Coin | 350,000 | 77% | May 2015 |
| 2015 $20 for $20 Superman Silver Coin | 350,000 | Unknown | Aug 2015 |
| 2015 $20 for $20 Gingerbread Man Silver Coin | 200,000 | 80% | Oct2015 |
| 2015 $20 for $20 Tyrannosaurus Rex Silver Coin | 300,000 | – | Jan 2016 |
Two more $20 for $20 silver coins are scheduled for 2016 with the $20 Batman v Superman™ Coin coming in February and a third design, yet to be announced, arriving in May. In December, the Royal Canadian Mint started accepting subscription orders for this year’s coins. Subscribers have already received shipping confirmations for their T-Rex coin.
Coin Designs and Specifications
Designed by Julius Csotonyi, the reverse or tails side of the coin shows the tyrant lizard king charging with opened jaw and jutting teeth. Inscriptions around the design read: CANADA 2016, FINE SILVER 9999 ARGENT PUR and 20 DOLLARS.
Susanna Blunt’s portrait of Queen Elizabeth II appears on the obverse or heads side. The likeness of the Queen is surrounded by ELIZABETH II and D G REGINA.
Coin specifications as provided by the Royal Canadian Mint include:
- Mintage: 300,000
- Composition: fine silver (99.99% pure)
- Finish: specimen
- Weight (g): 7.96
- Diameter (mm): 27
- Edge: serrated
- Certificate: not serialized
- Face value: 20 dollars
The coin’s weight and purity account for slightly more than one-quarter troy ounce of silver (0.255919943 ounces).
Each coin is placed inside a protective clear pouch that is attached to an illustrated display card complete with specifications and a certificate of authenticity. The card features an image of a T-Rex in what would have been its natural setting.
Ordering
Limited to 300,000, the 2016 $20 Tyrannosaurus Rex Silver Coin is available from the Royal Canadian Mint at mint.ca. The following affiliate link goes to the Mint’s $20 for $20 page where the coin is listed as well as the previously mentioned subscription option. There is a household ordering limit of 5 coins. The Mint ships them free and does not charge taxes.
This story in the US coins section ?
chris –
Do you feel lost? This is the ugliest design in the RCM’s $20 for $20 silver coin program since it started in 2011 ! I have a number of them, but this atrocity will not be one. The view is off balance severely on this design. This coin design will cause kids to have nightmares! BOO ! Lol.
Good luck Chris!
-NumisDudeTX
The real loss is $20 for $3.5 of silver – Not stomping away from my wallet. I actually do not own any of this series.
chris – I completely understand your position on this coin series, but the silver coins at face value from the RCM is their most popular coin series. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have sold out relatively quickly in all denominations & designs since 2011. I am a collector, not an investor per se & only purchase U.S. & foreign coins both old & new with designs that I find attractive. These RCM coins are the only ones available at face value with free FedEx shipping & no tax! And if the U.S. ecomomy goes downhiill again I can always spend them on… Read more »
Admittedly in the past I’ve never been a big fan of these coins. But I’m in on the Batman V Superman in February. Highly collectible.
Joe –
You got it totally right! I got the household limit on the 2015 Superman $20 for $20 silver coin from the Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) because the design was fantastic & as you say a very popular subject matter. I can’t wait to receive the $20 for $20 Batman vs. Superman coins in February since it has two superheroes on it & as you said will be highly sought after (by coin collectors & comic book aficionados too)!
Happy collecting Joe!
-NumisDudeTX
Just wondering how can the Mint not charge taxes on currency (The Mint ships them free and does not charge taxes.) Is this just a promotional ‘lost leader’ or is tax exempt on currency?
I’ve purchased a number of items (coins and paper money) at auctions and am regularly charged 13%.