3 euros AUSTRIA 2021 - Styracosaurus Albertensis

3 euros AUSTRIA 2021 - Glow in the dark

The longest horn

They may have looked terrifying, but the spikes and horns protruding from the head of Styracosaurus albertensis were not necessarily used for violent purposes. The subject of the eighth Supersaurs series coin had four to six long spikes extending from the neck frill, a smaller horn on each cheek, and a single horn, up to 60 cm long and 15 cm wide, that protruded from his nose. The function of these horns has long been the subject of scientific debate.

In the case of some horned dinosaurs, the horns certainly served as defense in case of attack, although the neck frill would have been quickly punctured in combat. For example, bite marks from a Tyrannosaurus rex have been found on the steering wheel of a Triceratops. Another possibility is that males with larger, more elaborate and visible headdresses were more likely to intimidate their rivals in the pack and attract available females during the mating season. The ruffles may also have been decorated with eye-catching patterns and bright colors, which could have served as a distinguishing feature or helped establish hierarchy within the pack. Who knows, they may also have served to impress their enemies to the point that they wouldn't even consider attacking the Styracosaurus in the first place.

Styracosaurus albertensis features all 12 extreme prehistoric animals from the Supersaurs series in silhouette on its obverse, while a colorful printed Styracosaurus is followed by a snarling Tyrannosaurus rex in the background of the coin's glow-in-the-dark reverse. Supersaurs 3 euro coins are legal tender in Austria.