| Coin | Five Dollars 2007 Tuatara |
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When decimal currency was introduced in New Zealand on 10 July 1967, there was no new circulating denomination with the size and specifications of the old one crown piece, in which only commemorative coins had been issued; the new (large) fifty cents were equivalent in value but not in size. New Zealand issued crown-sized commemoratives with the specifications of the old crown, based on the British pre-decimal Crown. Until the introduction of the smaller circulating dollar coin in 1990, these coins had a one dollar denomination; later issues were denominated as five dollars.
These coins are legal tender but are not intended for circulation.
This proof coin pays tribute to the endangered tuatara lizard, which graced the New Zealand five cents denomination throughout its existence. |
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| Obverse | |
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The obverse of the coin 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, the date of issue and the value: NEW ZEALAND ELIZABETH II 2007.
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse of the coin depicts a tuatara on a tree log.
Around above, the inscription TUATARA.
Around below, the face value FIVE DOLLARS. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
TUATARA FIVE DOLLARS |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | 2,200 copper-nickel coins, plus 2,700 silver proofs. |
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