Agate Fossil Beds Dinohyus Pin

$7.00

In stock

Shipping calculated in cart/checkout:  Shipping rates for first items start at $7, calculated based on weight of total order.

The official Agate Fossil Beds Dinohyus pin, made for BHPFA by L.W. Bristol Classics. The 1″ die-cut design features the Miocene-era entelodont (the “terminator pig”) whose first complete skeleton was excavated from the Agate quarries in 1908. Enamel front, brushed metal reverse, post-and-clutch backing.

  • 1″ x 3/4″ enameled metal, die-cut Dinohyus profile
  • Colorful enamel front, brushed metal reverse
  • Officially approved by Agate Fossil Beds National Monument
  • 0.2 oz, light enough for a lapel, hat, or daypack strap
  • Proceeds support Agate Fossil Beds National Monument and other BHPFA partner parks and forests

In stock

60-day returns · Ships from South Dakota via USPS

Agate Fossil Beds Dinohyus Pin

$7.00

In stock

Shipping calculated in cart/checkout:  Shipping rates for first items start at $7, calculated based on weight of total order.

The official Agate Fossil Beds Dinohyus pin, made for BHPFA by L.W. Bristol Classics. The 1″ die-cut design features the Miocene-era entelodont (the “terminator pig”) whose first complete skeleton was excavated from the Agate quarries in 1908. Enamel front, brushed metal reverse, post-and-clutch backing.

  • 1″ x 3/4″ enameled metal, die-cut Dinohyus profile
  • Colorful enamel front, brushed metal reverse
  • Officially approved by Agate Fossil Beds National Monument
  • 0.2 oz, light enough for a lapel, hat, or daypack strap
  • Proceeds support Agate Fossil Beds National Monument and other BHPFA partner parks and forests

In stock

60-day returns · Ships from South Dakota via USPS

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Every item is selected or approved by rangers and staff. Your purchase keeps them on the front lines.

Honest Shipping

Real USPS rates, no markup. The money we save funds trail crews and internships.

Join BHPFA for $30 a year -> get your code by email in seconds. -> Use it at checkout today. Show your card at hundreds of nonprofit park stores nationwide for 10% off.

Ranger Approved

Every item is selected or approved by rangers and staff. Your purchase keeps them on the front lines.

Description

What is the Agate Fossil Beds Dinohyus Pin?

This is a 1″ enameled metal lapel pin shaped to the profile of Dinohyus, the giant entelodont fossil that put Agate Fossil Beds on the paleontology map. Made for BHPFA by L.W. Bristol Classics in Bristol, Tennessee, the pin is sold at the Agate visitor center and online. It’s the smallest of three Dinohyus collectibles BHPFA carries; the other two are the patch and the hiking medallion.

If you’ve stood in front of the Dinohyus mount at the Agate visitor center, this pin is the wearable version of that moment. If you haven’t been yet, the design is recognizable enough that anyone who knows the fossil beds will know what it is.

About Dinohyus

Dinohyus (now classified as Daeodon shoshonensis) was an early Miocene mammal that lived in North America roughly 23 to 18 million years ago. It stood close to 6 feet at the shoulder, weighed up to 1,000 kg (about 2,200 lb), and had a 3-foot-long skull built for crushing bone. Despite the “pig” nickname, modern genetic and morphological studies place entelodonts closer to hippos and whales than to true pigs.

The connection to Agate Fossil Beds is direct. In 1908, Olaf Peterson of the Carnegie Museum excavated a nearly complete Dinohyus skeleton from the Agate quarries, the most complete entelodont specimen ever recovered. He named the new genus Dinohyus, meaning “terrible pig.” Later research showed the same animal had already been named Daeodon by Edward Drinker Cope in 1878, and under taxonomic naming rules the older name wins. Park signage and most modern references use Daeodon. Older displays, the original Carnegie specimen, and most of the popular literature still call it Dinohyus, which is why the pin uses the historical name.

Specifications

  • Size: 1″ x 3/4″ die-cut
  • Weight: 0.2 oz
  • Construction: enameled metal
  • Finish: colorful enamel front, brushed metal reverse
  • Fastening: standard post-and-clutch backing
  • Manufacturer: L.W. Bristol Classics, Bristol TN

Who is this for?

Visitors to Agate Fossil Beds National Monument who want a small, inexpensive souvenir that points at the park’s main story rather than just its name. Fossil collectors and paleontology fans (especially anyone who follows entelodont taxonomy) will recognize the design without explanation. It also works as a stocking-stuffer for a kid going through a “weird prehistoric mammals” phase.

If you’re collecting the Dinohyus set, the pin pairs with the Agate Fossil Beds Dinohyus Patch and the Agate Fossil Beds Dinohyus Hiking Medallion.

Frequently asked questions

Is this Dinohyus or Daeodon?
Both names refer to the same animal. Dinohyus was the name given in 1905 to the complete skeleton excavated at Agate Fossil Beds. Daeodon was an earlier name from 1878 that turned out to apply to the same species. Under the rules of zoological nomenclature, the older name (Daeodon) is the valid scientific name today, but Dinohyus remains the historical name attached to the Agate specimen and stays in common use. The pin uses the historical name.

Where can I see the actual Dinohyus skeleton?
The original Agate specimen is at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh. Casts and related fossil material are on display at the Agate Fossil Beds National Monument visitor center, along with other Miocene mammals from the quarries.

Is this pin officially licensed by Agate Fossil Beds National Monument?
Yes. The pin is approved by Agate Fossil Beds National Monument and is sold through BHPFA, the monument’s official nonprofit partner.

How do I attach the pin without damaging my jacket?
The pin uses a standard post-and-clutch backing. Push the post through the fabric from the front, then press the clutch onto the post from behind. For lighter fabrics, slip a small backing card behind the fabric to spread the pressure.

Can I get my Passport to Your National Parks stamped at Agate Fossil Beds?
Yes. Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is an NPS site with a Passport cancellation stamp at the visitor center. If you’re starting a Passport book, BHPFA carries the Passport to Your National Parks Classic Edition.

Does buying this support Agate Fossil Beds?
Yes. BHPFA is the official nonprofit partner of Wind Cave National Park, Jewel Cave National Monument, Scotts Bluff National Monument, and Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, as well as the Black Hills National Forest and Nebraska National Forests & Grasslands. Proceeds from every purchase support education programs, conservation projects, and visitor services at these sites.

How big was Dinohyus in real life?
Adult Dinohyus stood about 6 feet at the shoulder, ran roughly 10 feet from snout to tail, and weighed close to a ton. The skull alone was about 3 feet long. The pin is 1 inch.

More Agate Fossil Beds collectibles

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Additional information

Weight 1 oz
Brand

L.W. Bristol Classics

Dimensions

1" x 3/4"

Weight

0.2 oz

Material

Enameled Metal

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