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The New Zealand one-dollar coin ($1) is a circulating denomination of the New Zealand dollar. It was introduced as a coin on 11 February 1991 (with coins dated 1990) to replace the existing $1 note. There had previously been occasional issues of commemorative crown-sized dollars, but these were not meant for circulation.
The depiction of a kiwi on the reverse helps give the New Zealand dollar the colloquial name "Kiwi (dollar)", although the term was in use even before the $1 coin was introduced. The reverse design by New Zealand artist Robert Maurice Conly has not changed since the introduction of the denomination.
One Dollar coins issued in 1990 have now been in circulation for 33 years. |
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| Obverse | |
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The obverse of the coin shows the crowned bust of Queen Elizabeth II, facing right (her effigy known as the "Third Portrait"). The Queen is wearing the royal diadem which she wears on her way to and from the State Opening of Parliament, a pearl necklace and earrings.
Incuse in tiny letters on the neck truncation, the designer's initials RDM (for Raphael David Maklouf).
Around, the monarch's legend and the date of issue: ELIZABETH II NEW ZEALAND 1990.
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| Reverse | |
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The reverse of the coin depicts two symbols of New Zealand: a kiwi facing left in the centre, surrounded by four fronds of the silver fern (Cyathea dealbata). Both the kiwi and the silver ferns sit above the legend reading the denomination ONE DOLLAR.
Kiwi are a significant national icon, equally cherished by all cultures in New Zealand. Kiwi are a symbol for the uniqueness of New Zealand wildlife. They are most commonly forest dwellers, making daytime dens and nests in burrows, hollow logs or under dense vegetation. Kiwi are the only bird to have nostrils at the end of their very long bill. Their nostrils are used to probe in the ground, sniffing out invertebrates to eat, along with some fallen fruit. |
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| Reverse Inscription |
ONE DOLLAR |
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| Edge | Milled (interrupted, in eight sections) | Edge Inscription | None |
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| Notes | The 1990 New Zealand brilliant uncirculated mint sets (mintage 18,000) and proof sets (mintage 10,000) were produced by the Royal Mint (London) as evidenced by the text in the cardboard inserts, and not by the Royal Australian Mint as Krause catalogues say. |
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