One Dollar 2009 Kiwi, Coin from New Zealand - detailed information

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.

This coin is part of an annual series featuring a new Kiwi design every year, and is also the first issue in the Icons of New Zealand mini series. The design depicts the national bird of New Zealand - the kiwi, together with the map of the country.

It is also the only one with a copper-nickel "main" variant - only the proof is in silver, while all subsequent issues are in silver only. This is also the last crown-sized commemorative denominated as $1 issued by New Zealand; after it, the format changed to one troy ounce of silver.