| Coin | Gold Five Ounces 2017 Taniwha |
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New Zealand uses the New Zealand Dollar as its circulation currency for daily transactions. The country also issues a number of commemorative and collector coins, including in the very large five ounces of gold format (abbreviated as 5 oz Au, where "Au" comes from the Latin word for gold, Aurum). Authorised by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, the official issuer of these coins is NZ Post - which also issues the country's postal stamps. Manufacturing of the coins is commissioned to various foreign mints.
The coins are "Non-Circulating Legal Tender" (NCLT) and not bullion because they are issued at prices much higher than their intrinsic value and are targeted at collectors who appreciate them for their artistic or sentimental value, and not at bullion investors.
NZ Post (the issuer of the coin) says about it:
This 5oz gold proof coin captures all the intricate details of the taniwha. Each scale and facial feature can clearly be seen in this detailed portrayal. Other cultures have dragons, serpents or other mythical beasts at the heart of their myths and legends, New Zealand has the taniwha.
The taniwha was a dominant creature in Māori legends, portrayed as a terrifying beast or a protector of tribes. The exact characteristics of the taniwha often changed, sometimes it was portrayed with wings, other times it was a serpent or a terrifying sea monster. |
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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 2017.
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| Reverse | |
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At centre, reverse of the coin features a representation of the mythical taniwha. This subject of many Māori myths and legends is portrayed emerging from turbulent waters which were said to be its favoured habitat.
Around above and around below, the value and denomination in Māori and in English: KOTAHI RAU E RIMA TEKAU TĀRA and ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
>KOTAHI RAU E RIMA TEKAU TĀRA ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS |
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| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | Finish: proof.
Packaging: in an intricately carved wakahuia (timber box), with a numbered Certificate of Authenticity. Made from New Zealand native heart rimu, the wakahuia features a beautifully crafted taniwha design, with paua shell inlays for the eyes.
NZ Post SKU: CU6LGP05
Issue price: NZ$ 12,999.00 |
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| See also |
Coins featuring Māori legends include:
- 5 oz Gold, Taniwha, 2017
- 1 oz Gold, Taniwha, 2017
- 1 oz Silver, Taniwha, 2017
- 1/2 oz Gold, Māui, 2018
- 1/2 oz Silver, Māui, 2018
- 1/2 oz Gold, Māui - The Fish, 2018
- 1/2 oz Silver, Māui - The Fish, 2018
- 1/4 oz Gold, Tangaroa - Guardian of the Ocean, 2021
- 1 oz Silver, Tangaroa - Guardian of the Ocean, 2021
- 1/4 oz Gold, Tangaroa - Whale, 2021
- 1 oz Silver, Tangaroa - Whale, 2021
- 1 oz Gold, Matariki, 2022
- 1 oz Silver, Matariki, 2022
- 1 oz Gold, Rūaumoko - Guardian of Volcanoes, 2023
- 1 oz Silver, Rūaumoko - Guardian of Volcanoes, 2023
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