6 minute read
Recent coin issues
Discover New Zealand: Tūī
Featuring a stunning photographic image of the tūī, a bird unique to Aotearoa New Zealand, this is the first coin in a new series celebrating New Zealand’s natural wonders. The tūī feeds from harakeke, New Zealand flax. This vivid image is framed by the engraved high-relief kaitiaki (guardian). The kaitiaki not only acts as a unifying feature that acknowledges Māori as tangata whenua (the people of the land), but is a minder or caregiver, protecting the taonga (treasure) encapsulated by the coin. Date of issue: October 2020 Designer: Kaitiaki designed by Dave Burke, Tauranga, New Zealand Mint: Royal Dutch Mint Worldwide mintage: 1,000
Kākā
This coin features an illustration of the endemic kākā painted by New Zealand artist Ben Timmins. In the background two ferns crown the bird, as a symbol of protection and guardianship. The ferns are engraved, and the background colour treated to give greater depth to the imagery and highlight the kākā painting. Date of issue: December 2020 Designer: Ben Timmins, Taranaki, New Zealand Mint: Royal Dutch Mint Worldwide mintage: 1,000
2021 Kiwi
Kiwi are equally cherished by all cultures in New Zealand. They are a symbol of the uniqueness of New Zealand wildlife and the value of our natural heritage. The bird itself is a taonga to Māori, who have strong cultural, spiritual and historical associations with kiwi. The 2021 Kiwi coin features the brown kiwi Apteryx mantelli in an underground burrow with two eggs. The brown kiwi nest in short burrows, rocky crevices or the hollow bases of trees. The kiwi on this coin is likely male, as they do all the incubation in this species. One or two large eggs can be laid any time of year, but the peak time is between June and November. Date of issue: December 2020 Illustrator: Stephen Fuller, Wellington, New Zealand Designer: Helcia Knapp, Raumati, New Zealand Mint: BH Mayer’s Kunstprägeanstalt GmbH
Worldwide mintage:
5oz silver proof coin: 350 1oz silver proof coin: 2,500 1oz silver specimen coin: 5,000 ¼oz gold proof coin: 500 5oz gold proof coin: 30
New Zealand’s primary circulating 50c coin features HMS Endeavour, the ship on which Captain James Cook became the first Briton to reach New Zealand. Issued as part of the ‘smallest gold coins of the world’ series, this is the first-ever .5g gold replica of a New Zealand circulating currency coin. New Zealand’s decimal currency has been in circulation since 1967 and, although reduced in size in 2006, the 50c coin still bears the original design. Date of issue: December 2020 Designer: James Berry Mint: Mint of Norway Worldwide mintage: 3,000
Pōhutukawa
The pōhutukawa is a uniquely New Zealand tree that holds both iconic status and deep cultural significance for the people of Aotearoa. These magnificently gnarly evergreen trees can live for hundreds of years in their natural coastal environment. Some trees reach 1,000 years of age. The pōhutukawa’s famous red flowers generally bloom only for a few weeks in December, and are a welcome sign that summer is coming. They are accepted as New Zealand’s honorary Christmas tree. Christmas takes place in the warm summer months, and many New Zealanders will have memories of spending their Christmas holidays at the beach, where pōhutukawa are most abundant. Found throughout the North Island, particularly in the northern half, pōhutukawa grow best in warm, drier areas close to the sea, growing up to 20 metres high and 35 metres wide. Date of issue: December 2020 Designer: Nick Clarkson, Wellington, New Zealand Mint: Royal Dutch Mint Worldwide mintage: 1,000
Mergansers are fish-eating waterfowl. The Auckland Island merganser Mergus australis was first discovered in 1840 after two French corvettes arrived at the rarely visited Auckland Islands. In the following 60 years around 20 specimens were collected, and is thought there were probably no more than 30 breeding pairs at any one time. The last sighting was in 1902, and by 1910 the species had been declared extinct, primarily due to predation by introduced mammals, and collecting for museums. This stunning coin features a coloured illustration of the extinct Auckland Island merganser, inspired by the few specimens that exist today. The merganser stands in front of the steep cliffs of the Auckland Islands, and a southern rātā, a native tree with bright red flowers. This 2oz coin has been minted at a 38.6-millimetre diameter, distinguishing it from other 2oz silver coins issued by New Zealand Post. Date of issue: January 2021 Designer: Stephen Fuller, Wellington, New Zealand Mint: BH Mayer’s Kunstprägeanstalt GmbH Worldwide mintage: 500
Alongside a 1oz silver proof version of the Auckland Island Merganser coin, this set features proof versions of New Zealand’s circulating currency coins. Each coin is specially dated 2021. Collectively the coins feature many wellknown New Zealand symbols such as the Māori carved mask, known as a ‘kōruru’ on the 10-cent coin, and the HMS Endeavour, the ship of Captain James Cook, on the 50-cent coin. Date of issue: January 2021 Designer - Auckland Island Merganser 1oz silver proof coin: Stephen Fuller, Wellington, New Zealand Mint - Auckland Island Merganser 1oz silver proof coin: BH Mayer’s Kunstprägeanstalt GmbH Mint - New Zealand proof currency coins: Royal Dutch Mint Worldwide mintage: 750
2021 Limited Edition New Zealand Proof Five-Coin Proof Set
This limited-edition set features New Zealand’s iconic currency coins in magnificent proof quality. Each coin is specially dated 2021, and there are only 250 available worldwide. Date of issue: January 2021 Mint: Royal Dutch Mint Worldwide mintage: 250
Discover New Zealand: Aoraki Mount Cook
Featuring a beautiful illustration of Aoraki Mount Cook by New Zealand artist Ben Timmins, this coin is the second in the ‘Discover New Zealand’ series, a stream of coins showcasing New Zealand’s unique natural beauty. The coins in the series are united by a specially designed kaitiaki - guardian - that sits at the base of each coin. The kaitiaki not only acts as a unifying feature that acknowledges Māori as tangata whenua (the people of the land), but is a minder or caregiver, protecting the taonga (treasure) encapsulated by the coin. Date of issue: February 2021 Designer: Ben Timmins, Taranaki, New Zealand Mint: The Commonwealth Mint Worldwide mintage: 1,000
