See the prehistoric world through the eye of a top predator.

Travel back to an age when dinosaurs ruled the Earth and see the world as they saw it! With each new fossil discovery, paleontologists are able to piece together new information about what the world looked like millions of years before us, and this oval-shaped coin presents a view of that long-gone reality. Its oval outline is perfectly shaped for an extreme closeup of the eye (and scaly eyelid) of Thanatotheristes, the most ancient Canadian tyrannosaur and the top predator of its time. For another view of this species, take a closer look at the colourful reflection in the eye – you’ll notice that this fearsome two-legged carnivore wasn’t travelling alone.

The oval shape returns — this time, as a dinosaur eye!

Good to know

A realistic dinosaur eye. Shaped like a tyrannosaur eye, this 99.99% pure silver coin transports you back in time to when dinosaurs roamed the earth!

Our second curved, oval-shaped coin for this size. The oval shape from our 2017 football coin is back, and this time, the curved outline and convex reverse lend themselves beautifully to a realistic rendering of a dinosaur eye.

An ‘eye’ for details. The reverse features an outstanding amount of finely engraved details that re-create Thanatotheristes’s scaly skin and eye area, while the centre portion is coloured to provide a stunning view of the prehistoric world reflected in the dinosaur’s eye.

Scientifically accurate. The artist is a well-known Canadian paleoartist. Your coin’s reverse design was also reviewed by the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, which was involved in identifying this tyrannosaur species.

For dinosaur lovers of all ages. Dinosaurs are always a popular theme with collectors and Canadians of all ages, and they’re an important part of Canada's natural heritage.

A limited collectible. Only 8,500 coins are available to collectors worldwide.

Includes serialized certificate. The Royal Canadian Mint certifies all of its collector coins.

No GST/HST

Did you know?

Measuring up to 10 metres in length and weighing up to 2.5 tonnes, Thanatotheristes (“Reaper of Death”) lived roughly 79.5 million years ago, which makes it one of the world’s oldest tyrannosaur species. As an apex predator, this toothy, two-legged carnivore preyed on herbivores such as Colepiocephale and Xenoceratops. Fossil remains discovered in the Foremost Formation, along the Bow River in Alberta, led to its naming in 2020, making it the most recently described tyrannosaur from Canada.

Behind closed doors

"My objective was to strike a balance between, on the one hand, the most vibrant use of color and dynamic form, posture and perspective of the scene of dinosaurs reflected in the convex eye; and on the other hand, a realistic, scientifically informed portrayal of the dinosaurs depicted in the reflection. Skin color patterns, anatomy and behaviour must all fit within plausible constraints reported by paleontologists. This attention to accuracy also extended to the shape and structure of the bird-like eye itself, not fully open in order to fit within the oval margin of the coin."

– Julius Csotonyi, Artist

About the design

Your coin is encapsulated and presented in a black Royal Canadian Mint-branded clamshell with a black beauty box.

Designed by Canadian paleoartist Julius Csotonyi, this oval-shaped coin’s reverse is a close-up of a tyrannosaur eye, specifically that of Thanatotheristes degrootum – the most ancient tyrannosaur species discovered in Canada, and also the most recently named (2020). While the skin and eyelid are covered in fine (engraved) scales, the dinosaur’s surroundings are colourfully reflected in the eye itself, revealing the presence of other individuals of this species, as they move through the swampy forests of Cretaceous western Canada. The obverse features the effigy of His Majesty King Charles III by Canadian artist Steven Rosati.

Product # 246163

$20 Fine Silver Coin - Dinosaur Eye (2025)