| Coin | One Dollar 1974 Commonwealth Games |
|---|
|
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.
In 1974 there were two types of large dollar. This one commemorates the Tenth British Commonwealth Games which took place in Christchurch from 24 January to 2 February 1974. |
|
| 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 1974.
|
|
|
| Reverse | |
|---|
Eight running human figures, four of them holding a flag. Around above, X BRITISH COMMONWEALTH GAMES CHRISTCHURCH; around below, the denomination ONE DOLLAR.
In tiny letters at the feet of one of the figures, the designer's initials PB (for Paul Beadle). |
|
| Reverse Inscription |
X BRITISH COMMONWEALTH GAMES CHRISTCHURCH ONE DOLLAR |
|---|
|
| Edge | Milled | Edge Inscription | None |
|
Search for New Zealand: One Dollar 1974 Commonwealth Games on eBay 
