2 products
Celebrate 50 years of decimal currency with this commemorative coin
In 2017, it will have been 50 years since New Zealand traded in it’s complicated imperial currency system for the more straight forward decimal system. To mark this significant anniversary, a 2 oz silver proof commemorative coin has been created which incorporates designs from New Zealand’s first decimal currency coins from 1967 designed by James Berry.
On 10 July 1967, New Zealand abandoned pounds, shillings and pence in favour of decimal currency. The new system was quickly adopted by New Zealand and was generally easier to understand than the complex imperial system. Of course, this new currency meant that there also needed to be new coins. The designs that were finally settled on had been designed by New Zealander James Berry. His designs of a silver fern, kōwhai, tuatara, Māori carved head or kōruru, kiwi and HMS Endeavour were finally chosen from a wide selection of submissions, and his ten and 50-cent coin designs remain in use today.
This 2 oz commemorative coin incorporates all of the iconic New Zealand symbols that were used in James Berry’s original designs. Each of the key elements are dispersed around the edge of the coin and encompassed by delicate koru designs.