Fifty Cents 2008 (mint sets only), Coin from New Zealand - detailed information

The New Zealand small fifty cent coin has been in circulation since 2006, when the earlier large 50 cent coins were demonetised.

There were no 50 cent coins issued for circulation in 2008. Some were struck for the mint sets and proof sets of the year only.

Crowned mature head of Queen Elizabeth II facing right (effigy known as the "Fourth Portrait"). The Queen wears the "Girls of Great Britain and Ireland" diamond tiara, a wedding gift from Queen Mary (Her Majesty's grandmother) in 1947 - which she also has on the Machin and the Gottwald portraits.

In tiny letters below the head, the artist's initials IRB (for Ian Rank-Broadley).

Around the effigy is the monarch's legend and the date: NEW ZEALAND ELIZABETH II 2008.

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.