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 fifty cents were equivalent in value but not in size). Until the introduction of the smaller circulating dollar coin in 1990, New Zealand issued crown-sized commemoratives with a one dollar denomination such as this one. Later crown-sized commemoratives are denominated at five dollars.
In 1983 there were two large one dollar coin issued; this one commemorates the Royal Visit to New Zealand in 1983 by Charles, Prince of Wales, his wife Diana, Princess of Wales, and their son William. |
| Obverse |
Crowned and draped young bust of Queen Elizabeth II facing right (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: ELIZABETH II NEW ZEALAND 1983.
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| Reverse |
Conjoined busts of Prince Charles and Lady Diana right. In left field, the badge of The Prince of Wales comprising three feathers rising through a coronet of alternate crosses and fleur-de-lys. The motto Ich Dien (I serve) is on a dark blue ribbon beneath the coronet. In right field, a fern leaf symbolising New Zealand.
Around above, ROYAL VISIT; around below, the denomination ONE DOLLAR. |