In collaboration with the Natural History Museum, the new three-coin collection depicts three of the most notable large mammals to exist during this period of history, with the iconic Steppe Mammoth, Woolly Rhino and Giant Deer appearing on their own coin. Sometimes referred to as the Ice Age, the Pleistocene Epoch began around 2.6 million years ago. Large glaciers known as ice sheets spread across the globe, although the Earth had been cooling for much longer than this. This period saw vast glaciers expand across the Earth’s surface and take up large swathes of land whilst large mammals known as megafauna flourished in the grassy plains alongside them. The ice sheets extended beyond the North and South Poles, where they still exist today, and reached as far as the Midlands in England and across what is now Canada and the northern United States of America.
There are numerous theories as to what could have led to the extinction of megafauna such as the woolly mammoth, woolly rhinoceros and giant deer. For centuries, native peoples of the Arctic have been discovering preserved carcasses such as the woolly mammoth. It is thought that the planet’s cyclical change in temperature and hunting by Neolithic people would have also contributed towards the extinction of megafauna. Aside from being hunted, these larger beasts were slow to breed and had long gestation periods, so would have been affected by hunting over a longer period of time. A combination of hunting and changes to habitats did have an impact on the population of these mighty herbivores.
Each design on all three coins in the series features the artwork by palaeo-artist Robert Nicholls in collaboration with the expert guidance of palaeo-biologist Professor Adrian Lister from the Natural History Museum.
The Steppe Mammoth – One of the largest beasts to exist during this period was Mammuthus Trogontherii,also known as steppe mammoth. Enormous in size, this herbivore had an average shoulder height of 4 metres and weighed an average of 10 tonnes. The reverse side depicts a scientifically accurate design of how a steppe mammoth would have appeared whilst in their habitat. Above the primary design is the text MAMMUTHUS along with STEPPE MAMMOTH which is placed along the lower rim. Superimposed and placed below the primary design is a small replicated skeletal image of a complete steppe mammoth.
The Woolly Rhinoceros – One of the largest mammals to exist alongside mammoths was the woolly rhinoceros, or Coelodonta antiquitatis. This giant herbivore was similar in size to a white African rhinoceros and weighed around 2 tonnes. The reverse side depicts a head and shoulders image of the woolly rhinoceros, emphasising the animal’s giant horn which has been a distinctive physical trait for this species for millions of years. Above the primary design is the text COELODONTA along with WOOLLY RHINOCEROS which is placed along the lower rim. Superimposed and placed below the primary design is a small replicated skeletal image of a complete woolly rhinoceros.
The Giant Deer – One of the last megafaunas to have lived during the Ice Age was the giant deer, or Megaloceros giganteus. Although the giant deer coexisted with the woolly mammoth, this species also lived in more southerly areas during periods when the woolly mammoth and woolly rhinoceros would have been absent. The reverse side depicts a standing Giant Deer among its habitat. Particular attention is shown to the deer’s giant antlers which are featured in much of the coin’s field. Above the primary design is the text MEGALOCEROSalong with GIANT DEER which is placed along the lower rim. Superimposed and placed below the primary design is a small replicated skeletal image of a complete giant deer.
Each coin in the three-coin set includes an effigy of HM King Charles III created by Engraver Martin Jennings. The denomination of 50 PENCE and year of issue, 2024 is included as part of the legend placed around the King’s likeness.
The first coin in the series, the steppe mammoth 50 pence piece is available to purchase from the 21st October in gold, colour and non-colour silver proof editions, as well as cupro-nickel BU and a special colour printed BU edition which is exclusively available through the retail webshop of the Royal Mint. Dates for the remaining two coins will be announced later this year. For additional information, please visit the e-webshop of the Royal Mint.