Wednesday 29 April 2015

Anzac Commemorative Coin

While unpacking the motorhome on arrival home I discovered a new coin amongst our belongings.  Looking closely we discovered that it was a coloured 50 cent coin which I must have picked up at the Waiouru Army Museum on our way home.

One million of these legal tender coins were minted to commemorate the centenary, on 25 April 1915, of the Anzac landings on the Gallipoli Peninsula.

IMG_0050 The ‘Tails”Face of the commemorative 50 cent coin.

Featuring New Zealand and Australian soldiers standing back to back with their heads bowed in remembrance. The Maori motif pattern symbolises strength and determination, and the silver fern is New Zealand’s identity.With New Zealand’s national colours, the motif is white on the coin, with the background coloured black.

IMG_0051The “heads” face of the coin with the Queen and the year 2015

It is the first time in New Zealand history that a New Zealand coloured circulating coin has been produced. It has been checked that the coin is the same size as the existing coin and will be accepted in coin and vending machines.

I wonder how long these coins remain in circulation or are picked up by collectors?

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