| Coin | One Dollar 1969 Captain Cook |
|---|
|
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.
The 1969 large dollar coin commemorates the 200th anniversary (bi-centenary) of Captain Cook's voyage. Apart from the 1967 dollar, it is the only one of the series that has a lettered (incuse) edge. |
|
| Obverse | |
|---|
The obverse of the coin shows the crowned and draped young bust of Queen Elizabeth II facing right (her effigy known as the "Second Portrait", by Arnold Machin).
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 Rank-Broadley and the Gottwald portraits.
Around, the monarch's legend and the date of issue: ELIZABETH II NEW ZEALAND 1969.
|
|
|
| Reverse | |
|---|
At centre a map of New Zealand with Cook's passage around the islands marked; in field left, bust of Captain Cook; in field right, the barque Endeavour; around above, COOK'S CHART; around below, the denomination ONE DOLLAR.
The artist's initials JB (for [Reginald George] James Berry) are below the barque. |
|
| Reverse Inscription |
COOK'S CHART ONE DOLLAR |
|---|
|
| Edge | Plain, incuse inscribed | Edge Inscription | COMMEMORATING COOK BI-CENTENARY 1769-1969 |
|
Search for New Zealand: One Dollar 1969 Captain Cook on eBay 