Iguanodon Dinosaur Stamp

Here is a picture of the Iguanodon dinosaur stamp. It was issued in 1965 by the small republic of San Marino (located on the Italian peninsula). It had a value of 100 lire but the country now uses the euro as their currency. In 1965 it would be worth about 16 United States cents. The stamp was part of collection of nine issued that year.

The Iguanodon existed in the Late Jurassic Period (155-150 mya) to Late Cretaceous Period (100-66 mya). The fossil was named by Gideon Mantell in 1825.

San Marino is a very small country located inside of northern Italy. It is about 61 square kilometers in size with a population of about 30,000 people. One of their chief sources of income is tourism. They sell stamps and coins to tourists. More than likely these dinosaur stamps were part that income stream.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_marino
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_San_Marino
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iguanodon

Pteranodon Flying Reptile Stamp

Here is a picture of the Pteranodon flying reptile stamp. It was issued in 1965 by the small republic of San Marino (located on the Italian peninsula). It had a value of 3 lire but the country now uses the euro as their currency. The U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO) website has a 1965 listing of currency rate exchanges. One United States dollar was equivalent to 625 Italian lire. So this stamp was worth about 1/2 American cent in 1965. The stamp was part of collection of nine issued that year.

The Pteranodon existed in the Late Cretaceous Period (100-66 mya). The fossil was named by Othniel Charles Marsh in 1876.

San Marino is a very small country located inside of northern Italy. It is about 61 square kilometers in size with a population of about 30,000 people. One of their chief sources of income is tourism. They sell stamps and coins to tourists. More than likely these ancient animal stamps were part that income stream.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_marino

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_San_Marino

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/GOVPUB-T63_100-d2630baf32592aadaaefa5ce3310fb36/pdf/GOVPUB-T63_100-d2630baf32592aadaaefa5ce3310fb36.pdf

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pteranodon

Pecten jacobaeus Bivalve Fossil

Here is a picture of a pelecypod fossil housed in a display case at the Geologia building located on the campus of Sapienza University of Rome. The case can be found on the second floor of the building. The fossil is called Pecten jacobaeus and lived during the Pliocene Period. The fossil was found in Roman countryside.

The university was founded in 1303 by Pope Boniface VIII. In 1870, it became a public university for the state of Italy.

Bothrophyllum Horn Coral Fossil

Here is a picture of a horn coral fossil housed in a display case at the Geologia building located on the campus of Sapienza University of Rome. The case can be found on the second floor of the building. The fossil is called Bothrophyllum conicum and lived during the Carboniferous Period. The fossil was found in Russia.

The university was founded in 1303 by Pope Boniface VIII. In 1870, it became a public university for the state of Italy.

Megalodon gumbeli Fossil

Here is a picture of a bivalve fossil housed in a display case at the Geologia building located on the campus of Sapienza University of Rome. The case can be found on the second floor of the building. The fossil is called Megalodon gumbeli and lived during the Triassic Period. The paleontology museum is on the 3rd floor of this building and houses many more fossils from their collection.

The university was founded in 1303 by Pope Boniface VIII. In 1870, it became a public university for the state of Italy.

Sources:
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Megalodon_gumbeli_1.JPG

Nummulites millecaput Fossil from Gargano Italy

Here is a picture of a large foraminifera fossil housed in a display case at the Geologia building located on the campus of Sapienza University of Rome. The case can be found on the second floor of the building. The fossil is called Nummulites millecaput. It lived in Middle Eocene Period. The specimen was found in the Gargano, Italy. Image taken in June 2014.

Sources:

http://www.bridgepugliausa.it/articolo.asp?id_sez=1&id_cat=26&id_art=3576&lingua=en

http://tetide.geo.uniroma1.it/dst/grafica_nuova/pubblicazioni_DST/geologica_romana/Volumi/VOL%2029/GR_29_131_138_Pignatti%20et%20al.pdf

Aulocrinus agassizi Crinoid Fossil

Here is a picture of a crinoid calyx fossil housed in a display case at the Geologia building located on the campus of Sapienza University of Rome. The case can be found on the second floor of the building. The crinoid fossil is called Aulocrinus agassizi. It lived in Carboniferous (Mississippian) Period. The specimen was found in the United States of America (maybe from Crawfordsville, Indiana?). Image taken in June 2014.

Bread that Looks Like a Trilobite

While in Rome, Italy I find it to be cost effective to visit the grocery stores to find low cost drinks, food and household supplies. One store chain I like to visit is the Punto Simply stores. You can find some good deals on water, apple juice, wines, olive oil, and breads.

A bread we picked up at the bakery was the one pictured that looked some what like an ancient extinct sea creature known as a trilobite. It tasted pretty good! Ciao.

Sources:
http://www.simplymarket.it/

Choristites mosquensis Brachiopod Fossil of Russia

Here is a picture of a fossil housed in a display case at the Geologia building located on the campus of Sapienza University of Rome. The case can be found on the second floor of the building. The brachiopod fossil is called Choristites mosquensis. It lived in Carboniferous Period. The specimen was found in the Russia (maybe near Moscow?). Image taken in June 2014.

Sources:
http://www.ammonit.ru/foto/5687.htm

http://www.eco-mnepu.narod.ru/fbrah.htm

Stegosaurus Dinosaur Stamp from 1965

Here is a picture of the Stegosaurus dinosaur stamp. It was issued in 1965 by the small republic of San Marino (located on the Italian peninsula). It had a value of 10 lire but the country now uses the euro as their currency. The stamp was part of collection of nine issued that year. The United States issued a stamp for this dinosaur in 1989 (see my blog post about it here).

The Stegosaurus existed in the Late Jurassic Period (155-150 mya). The fossil was named by Othniel Charles Marsh in 1877.

San Marino is a very small country located inside of northern Italy. It is about 61 square kilometers in size with a population of about 30,000 people. One of their chief sources of income is tourism. They sell stamps and coins to tourists. More than likely these dinosaur stamps were part that income stream.

Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_marino
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_San_Marino
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stegosaurus

Tetragraptus Graptolite Fossils from Australia

These pictures show a Tetragraptus fruticosus fossil specimen housed in a display case at the Geologia building located on the campus of Sapienza University of Rome. The case can be found on the second floor of the building. The fossil was found in Australia and lived during the Ordovician Period. The paleontology museum is on the 3rd floor of this building and has about 1000 fossils on display.

The university was founded in 1303 by Pope Boniface VIII. In 1870, it became a public university for the state of Italy.

Sources:
http://www.uniroma1.it/ateneo/chi-siamo/la-storia