| Coin | Fifty Cents 1990 (mint sets only) |
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The New Zealand fifty-cent coin is a coin of the New Zealand dollar. It was the largest by denomination, diameter and mass to have been introduced on the decimalisation of the currency on 10 July 1967, replacing the pre-decimal crown coin (five shillings).
Fifty cent coins were only issued in mint sets in 1990 (not intended for circulation); any that were released would have circulated circulated for 16 years before they were replaced with a smaller type and demonetised on 31 October 2006.
There were also the 150 Anniversary mint sets, featuring a fifty cent coin with a design depicting a child sitting next to a tree with a shovel. |
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| Obverse | |
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The obverse of the coin shows the crowned bust of Queen Elizabeth II, facing right (her effigy known as the "Third Portrait"). The Queen is wearing the royal diadem which she wears on her way to and from the State Opening of Parliament, a pearl necklace and earrings.
Incuse in tiny letters on the neck truncation, the designer's initials RDM (for Raphael David Maklouf).
Around, the monarch's legend and the date of issue: ELIZABETH II NEW ZEALAND 1990.
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse features the barque Endeavour sailing south. HMS Endeavour was the ship on which Captain Cook became the first Briton to reach New Zealand in October 1769. Mount Taranaki (Egmont) is seen in the distance; above left, the denomination 50 [cents]; below, ENDEAVOUR.
The artist's initials JB (for [Reginald George] James Berry) are in tiny letters on the coastline to the right of ship. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
50 ENDEAVOUR |
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| Edge | Milled (interrupted, in five sections) | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | The 1990 New Zealand brilliant uncirculated mint sets (mintage 18,000) and proof sets (mintage 10,000) were produced by the Royal Mint (London) as evidenced by the text in the cardboard inserts, and not by the Royal Australian Mint as Krause catalogues say. |
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