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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 1999 circulated for seven years before they were demonetised on 1 November 2006. |
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Obverse | |
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 1999.
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Reverse | |
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 | Krause lists 3,199 coins in regular (brilliant uncirculated) sets plus 1,800 in proof sets. |
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