Gold Half Gram 2018 Evolution of Life - Pterosaur, Coin from Mongolia - detailed information

The currency of Mongolia since 1925 has been the tögrög, which currently circulates mostly as banknotes due to the low value of earlier coins and the reluctance of the government to issue large denomination coins; however, the government has authorised many non-circulating legal tender (NCLT) coins to be issued for collector's purposes.

Collector coins are dedicated to historical or general popular culture themes and are often not related to the country itself. Many of them are in internationally popular sizes, such as the half gram of gold mini-coin format.

This coin is part of the fourth release in the Evolution of Life collection, and features the Pterosaur.

The series features select fossils from various geologic periods, in one large silver and one small gold format. Each silver issue shows a rose-gold plated fossil, typical of the respective geological period, partially excavated on an antique finish rock matrix background. The gold coin motifs mirror those of the larger silver coins, if in reduced complexity and design. Instead of a partially excavated fossil on a rock matrix background, the little coins show the isolated fossil on a proof surface with English name, year of issue and series name. Despite their small size, their minting is incredibly rich in detail.

The mint says about this coin:
Mongolia is famous for its rich fossil record including dramatic species such as Velociraptor, known from the Jurassic Park movies. Now in its fourth year, the Evolution of Life series pays tribute to past eras by portraying extinct prehistoric creatures in luxurious rose-gilded smartminting relief on an antique finish rock matrix background. In 2018, Evolution of Life takes from the sea to the skies with Pterosauria. The Mongolian coin portrays the native Noripterus parvus, that roamed Mongolian skies 140 million years ago with a wingspan of over four meters. Their fossils were first described from Central Mongolia in 1982. Pterosauria represents the most detailed and finely gilded coin in the series to date. Even remnants of the delicate wing membranes are hinted at in the rock matrix. Pterosaurs were one of three groups of vertebrates that evolved powered flight alongside birds and bats.