Australia Post Collecting Month 2022 (APCM) is all about some of the fascinating prehistoric creatures of the Cretaceous Period: four dinosaurs and a pterosaur (flying reptile).
APCM is not only a way to build your collection, but it’s an ideal time to share your love of collecting with family and friends.
Australian Dinosaurs stamp issue
Released today is our Australian Dinosaurs stamp issue, starring five prehistoric creatures that roamed during the Cretaceous period (145 million to 66 million years ago) and which have been the subject of fossil discoveries in Australia between 1989 and 2017.
During the Cretaceous Period, present day Australia was joined to Antarctica, New Zealand and South America to form the supercontinent of Gondwana. Its cool, wet climate and vast floodplains provided an ideal habitat for dinosaurs, such as Diamantinasaurus matildae, a long-necked, plant-eater up to 20 metres in length; Australovenator wintonensis, a carnivorous predator, about six metres in length; Kunbarrasaurus ieversi, a four-legged, plant-eater covered in bony armour; and an elaphrosaurine theropod (three-toed) dinosaur, which was slender, two-legged and probably a plant-eater. Pterosaurs (winged lizards) were present too, including Ferrodraco lentoni, which had a wingspan of about four metres.
The illustrator of this issue is celebrated artist Peter Trusler. Peter specialises in depicting prehistoric fauna in consultation with scientists and palaeontologists. Peter has made a significant contribution to original research in the field and his artwork has appeared in numerous books and scientific publications. The extinct monotreme Teinolophos trusleri is named after him. With Peter’s artwork in high demand all over the world, Australia Post is fortunate to have secured his talents for this issue and the three previous prehistorical stamp issues: Australian Dinosaur Era (1993), Creatures of the Slim (2005) and Megafauna (2008).
Along with the stamps, there’s a minisheet, stamp pack, first day covers, maxicards and booklets of 10 self-adhesive stamps.
Let the Dino Coin Hunt begin!
The four Cretaceous Period dinosaurs also star on their own $1 coin, and they’re waiting for you to discover them at any participating Post Office or online, while stocks last!
There are two dino coin collections to buy: a 4-coin collection and a special edition privy mark 4-coin collection, which put together spell out the word D.I.N.O. Plus, there are two proof sets: one in silver and one in aluminium-bronze.
As well as purchasing the coins, until 2 October 2022, you can also make a cash purchase in a participating Post Office and search for the special $1 dino coins in your change, while stocks last.
Want the stamps and coins combined? There are also five postal numismatic covers – one for each dinosaur coin, with the fifth cover containing a special Australovenator coin with privy mark.
Dino fun for everyone
While APCM is for everyone, it’s especially for children. As well as some fun and engaging resources on our APCM website, there are lots of other items to help the whole family get into the theme, including 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzles and two licensed stamp packs showcasing the movies Jurassic World and Jurassic World: Dominion.
Visit the APCM website
This Australian Dinosaurs stamp issue is available now, online, at participating Post Offices and via mail order on 1800 331 794, while stocks last.
The Australian Dinosaurs Coin Hunt runs until 2 October 2022, while stocks last.
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This content was produced at the time of the product release dates and will not be updated.
