1916 Courage & Commitment Silver Proof Coin

As part of the First World War five year programme, New Zealand Post will issue legal tender commemorative coins. These highly collectable and intricately designed silver proof and gold proof coins highlight New Zealanders roles in the war in 1916.This 1oz silver proof coin illustrates New Zealand’s involvement in the Battle of the Somme.

Highlights

• Minted from 0.999 silver
• Limited worldwide mintage of 2,500
• Coin comes in a pressed metal tin, made to resemble those gifted to soldiers in World
• War I by HRH Princess Mary at Christmas
• Coin depicts the Battle of the Somme, New Zealand's costliest campaign of the First World War
• The foreground of the coin shows elements of life in the trenches, while the background features soldiers in action
• Collectable coin commemorating New Zealand's involvement in the First World War in 1916.

Design

In April 1916 the New Zealand Division arrived on the Western Front to what was a very different theatre of war from Gallipoli. By the time the New Zealand infantry withdrew on 4 October, and the New Zealand artillery followed on 25 October, the New Zealand Division had captured nine kilometres of trenches and 1,000 Germans, and earned praise for their bravery. However, the cost for New Zealand was high, with approximately 6,000 wounded and 2,000 killed, in New Zealand’s most devastating battle of the war.

The background of the coin depicts men in action at the Somme while the foreground shows the day to day realities of life in the trenches.

Check out the full range of silver coins here.