Australia’s rich dinosaur history comes alive with new stamps and coins

Children across the country will discover the rich history of Australian dinosaurs and the joys of collecting stamps and coins during Australia Post Collecting Month, which starts today.

Now in its 29th year, Australia Post Collecting Month 2022 profiles four uniquely Australian dinosaurs (Diamantinasaurus, Elaphrosaurine, Australovenator and Kunbarrasaurus) and one pterosaur (winged lizard), Ferrodraco, as part of the Australian Dinosaurs stamp issue, illustrated by artist Peter Trusler and released today.

This year, Collecting Month also includes a partnership with the Royal Australian Mint, which has produced four $1 dino coins, based on the stamp designs. The four $1 dino coins can be hunted for in change, when making a cash purchase at participating Australia Post outlets across the country from today, and special coin collection sets can be purchased in-store and online, while stocks last.

Australia Post Executive Manager Retail, Catriona Noble says this year’s Collecting Month takes us to a time when Australia was joined to Antarctica, New Zealand and South America, and close to Africa, forming the supercontinent Gondwana.

“Australia Post Collecting Month gives school-aged children around the country an exciting opportunity to explore the theme of Australian Dinosaurs and discover more about Australia’s prehistoric life. This year’s designs were inspired by the discovery of the fossils of Diamantinasaurus, Australia’s most complete sauropod, by the Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum in Winton Queensland,” she said.

Australian Age of Dinosaurs Museum Executive Chairman David Elliott OAM said Diamantinasaurus matildae means (Waltzing) Matilda’s Diamantina (River) lizard.

"Diamantinasaurus was found in Outback Queensland, surrounded by sheep and cattle stations, in an area known as the home of Waltzing Matilda and the birthplace of QANTAS. Diamantinasaurus represents the rich fossil heritage found in Australia and its ability to inspire the next generation to value and learn about our fossil past,” Mr Elliott said.

Royal Australian Mint CEO Leigh Gordon said he was excited to be releasing this new set of $1 coin collectables in partnership with Australia Post.

“We are thrilled to be working with Australia Post to give families across Australia the opportunity to participate in one of the world’s oldest hobbies – coin collecting. We want everyone to get involved in the Dino Hunt. Not only do you get to build a collection of coins and stamps, but you can also uncover the world of Australian dinosaurs,” he said