Commemorative coin for N.Z. Day

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33451, 5 February 1974, Page 12

Commemorative coin for N.Z. Day

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, February 4. The Queen today signed regulations authorising the issue of a commemorative dollar to mark the first official observance of New Zealand Day on February 6.

! The Prime Minister (Mr I ‘Kirk) gave the Queen, pre-; 1 siding over a special meeting' jof the Executive Council, a (specially struck specimen of. I the new coin at the end of I the meeting, j Mr Kirk said later that it; [was unprecedented for New [Zealand to issue two com-1 [memorative coins in the one 1 vear. The other was the British Commonwealth [Games dollar. The new coin was designed by Mr James Berry, of Wellington, who has designed all New Zealand’s circulating decimal currency. The obverse of the coin bears the Queen’s effigy and [the year of issue. The reverse carries a representation

“of a kotuku (white heron) in •[early morning flight, signifying the dawn of a significant i day of nation-wide observance. The Treasury said later that a limited minting of the :;coin, in cupro-nickel. was ' now being struck at the ■ Royal Australian Mint and would be available in un- : circulated and proof coni dition in a few months. Because it is additional to I the 1974 coin issue already ■ announced the New Zealand ! Day commemorative dollar ; will not be available in sets of New Zealand coins. No orders for it will be accepted until the Government announces that the > issue is on sale,