Sixpence 1956, Coin from New Zealand - detailed information

Laureate bust of Queen Elizabeth II facing right (the effigy by Mary Gillick known as the "First portrait"); the designer's initials, M.G., appear incuse on the base of the neck truncation. The monarch's legend QUEEN · ELIZABETH · THE · SECOND + runs continuously all around the bust.

A huia bird perched on a branch facing right; around above, NEW ZEALAND; around below, the denomination and date, SIXPENCE 1956; below the centre of the branch, in small letters, the artist's initials KG (for [George] Kruger Gray).

Renniks New Zealand Coinage Guide 1966:

"1956: The obverse master die was re-designed with shoulder strap and the design made slightly smaller. 1957 sixpences have been reported without shoulder straps."