Prior to mid July ‘, a NZ Shop would only accept pounds, identified by the £sd method, was the monetary system of NZ. Coins of the pound tended to follow the dimension, heaviness, and design of their British forefathers. The most common coins in circulation were the 1/2d, penny, thrupence, 6d, shilling, florin, and the halfcrown.

First Coins

NZ shop decimalisation of the NZ currency happened in July 1967, when the NZ pound was superceeded by the Kiwi dollar at the rate of 1 pound euql to two $’s (10 shillings equal to 1 dollar). On the same afternoon, brnad new decimal coins were created to superceed the old pound coins. The initial coins of the NZ dollar were 1 cent, two cent, 5c, ten cent, twenty cent, and 50c. The 1c, 2c, and 50c coins were all new dimensions, with the1c & 2c minted out of bronze, and 50c out of cupronickel. The replacement 5c, 10c, & 20c were the exact same dimension, mass, and value as the discontinued, shilling, and florin coins. In fact, until 1970, the ten cents coin bore the extra text “One Shilling” to aid the NZ shop attendant.

The opposite side embossing of all the coins featured Arnold Machin’s portrayl of Elizabeth II, with its legend ELIZABETH II NEW ZEALAND. The first designs for the other sides of all coins introduced in early 1967 were not approved by the Mint. Several more versions were suggested, followed by a vigorous debate by NZ shop patrons. Mr. Berry’s offerings were eventually approved for most of the NZ shop coins, however he was forced to rework his design for the five c coin & F. Shurrock’s attempt of the 10c coin.

Towards the end of the 1980s, the 1 cent and 2 cent were already of very little value, and it was agreed to withdraw these coins from circulation. The last coins of these amounts were minted for distribution in 1987, with collector coins being made for 1988. The coins were gradually withdrawn by the NZ shop owners, before finally being demonetised (no longer legal tender) on 1 May 1990, and the NZ shop could no longer accept them.

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