Threepence 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.

Two carved patu (Maori weapons) crossed with lanyards or throngs attached; between their blades, the value and denomination 3d (abbreviation for "three pence"); above, NEW ZEALAND; below, the date 1956; the artist's initials KG (for [George] Kruger Gray) are below the centre of the crossed weapons.

Renniks New Zealand Coinage Guide 1966:

"The obverse master die was re-designed with shoulder strap, but a few varieties of 1956 threepences are to be found without re-designed strap."

These are estimated to be around 300,000.