2016 Kiwi Silver Specimen Coin

The kiwi lays one of the largest eggs in the world in relation to its body size, and the great spotted kiwi (Apteryx haastii) lays the largest eggs of all the species of kiwi. This unique attribute is celebrated in the 2016 Kiwi coin, which is minted in the shape of a kiwi egg.

Highlights

• New Zealand’s first egg-shaped coin
• Minted from 0.999 silver with selective colour
• Coin is printed with selective colour to mimic the appearance of a kiwi egg
• Features the great spotted kiwi depicted against Mount Rolleston in the Southern Alps
• Limited worldwide mintage of 7,500

Design

The kiwi has been considered the mascot of New Zealand for many years, but despite our best conservation efforts, the numbers continue to decline year on year. Kiwi are mostly nocturnal, omnivorous birds whose closest living relatives are the Australian cassowary and emu, and like them, it cannot fly. The kiwi’s loose, hair-like feathers, long beak and large whiskers give it a scruffy, but endearing appearance.

The great spotted kiwi, also known as the roroa, can be found around the north-western part of the South Island. Sadly, numbers of great spotted kiwi have dropped drastically since New Zealand's colonisation, with only around 15,000 alive today. Unlike other kiwi, which tend to live in dense forests, the great spotted kiwi favours higher-altitude areas, making it difficult to reach for its natural predators (such as stoats, cats and dogs).

Rounding out this visually striking issue is the silver specimen coin, minted from 0.999 silver. Although the specimen has a different finish from those of the two proof coins in this collection, it still incorporates the selective colour and is the affordable way to include this attractive coin in your kiwi coin collection.

Check out the full range of silver coins here.