| Coin | Five Cents 1990 (mint sets only) |
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The New Zealand five-cent coin was the lowest denomination coin of the New Zealand dollar from 1990 to 2006. The five-cent coin was introduced when the New Zealand dollar was introduced on 10 July 1967, replacing the New Zealand sixpence coin, which - having exactly the same dimensions - remained legal tender and in parallel use.
Coins issued in 1990 were in mint sets only (not intended for circulation); any that were released would have circulated for 16 years before they were demonetised on 1 November 2006.
There were also the 150 Anniversary mint sets, featuring a five cent coin with a kotuku bird design. |
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| Obverse | |
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Crowned bust of Queen Elizabeth II wearing a necklace, facing right (effigy known as the "Third portrait"); around, the monarch's legend ELIZABETH II NEW ZEALAND; below, the date 1990. Incuse in tiny letters on neck truncation, the designer's initials RDM (for Raphael David Maklouf). |
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse design of the coin depicts the last surviving member of an otherwise extinct family of reptiles, the tuatara (a lizard-like reptile), native only to New Zealand, shown sitting on a coastal rock. Above in the background, a gull flying.
Below, the denomination 5 [cents].
The designer's initials, JB (for [Reginald George] James Berry) are to the left of the lizard's tail. |
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| Edge | Milled | 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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