Gold Ounce 2013 Maori Art - Koru, Coin from New Zealand - detailed information

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 internationally popular gold one-ounce format (abbreviated as 1 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.

New Zealand Post says about this coin:
The koru (Maori wood-carving art) is represented on this stunning coin in the unfurling silver fern frond, which will grow into a rauponga. The surrounding artwork represents the domain of Tāne Mahuta, the God of the Forest. Tāne is depicted through a series of koru patterns and is watching over his domain - in which countless piko will grow into established ferns. The intricate design features the koru and rauponga beautifully engraved with three-dimensional relief, giving the coins incredible depth and dimension. The depiction of Tāne Mahuta contains striking contrasts between the frosted koru and the polished background - resulting in visually powerful coins that are not to be missed.

This 1oz gold proof coin is beautifully housed within a waka huia (ornamental carved vessel for taonga). Designed by Dave Burke, the waka huia is crafted from 50,000-year-old New Zealand swamp kauri, and continues the theme of the koru. The design of the waka huia pays respect to Matariki and celebrates the dawn of the new year. The koru on top of the waka huia reach towards each other and symbolise growth, new life, regeneration, belonging, unity, purity, aroha (love), nurturing, peace, balance, positivity and new beginnings. As the koru grows it stretches out and reaches toward the light. The pattern on the lid of the waka huia is the koiri and means to flourish.