| Coin | Fifty Cents 2013 (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).
On 31 July 2006, as part of a revision of New Zealand's coinage, the fifty cent was made smaller, lighter and of a cheaper alloy (nickel-plated steel). On 1 November of that year the previous larger fifty cent coin was demonetised.
Both the larger and smaller coin feature on their reverse the HMS Endeavour on which Captain Cook became the first Briton to reach New Zealand, in October 1769. The obverse, as on all New Zealand coins, features the reigning monarch.
There were no 50 cent coins issued for circulation in 2013. Some were struck for the mint sets and proof sets of the year only, in copper-nickel with mass of 5.6g. |
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| Obverse | |
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The obverse shows the crowned mature head of Queen Elizabeth II facing right (her 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 small 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 2013.
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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 | Plain | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Mintage includes 2,000 brilliant uncirculated coins in mint sets plus 1,500 proof coins in proof sets.
The coins are made of copper-nickel (unlike regular circulation coins which are made of steel), and are heavier than normal. |
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