An Introduction To Predecimal New Zealand Coins 1933 - 1965 - Page 10

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jbuck Moderator United States 189897 Posts	Posted 01/31/2022 1:42 pm Three new posts and lovely examples to ease me into the work week after another weekend break. As always, thank you for sharing your coins and commentary with us. Quote: Just to let you all know, have just brought two more very bizarre and desirable errors for the NZ collection. These will come up in 1955 and 1962 and you will love them! Excellent! Coin Collector Since 1978 Avatar Old Avatar 7070 Eisenhower Australia Canada World CCF Members on eBay CCF eBay Search Engine Report this Post to the Staff
Princetane Pillar of the Community 4628 Posts	Posted 02/01/2022 7:45 pm 1952 Big coins take a breather 1952 was the first year since 1939 when no Florins or Halfcrowns were minted, but the numbers of other coins issued more than made up for it. Coins issued in 1952 2/6 and 2/-, - None 1/-, - 600,000 6d, - 3,200,000 3d, - 8,000,000 1d, - 10,800,000 ½d, - 2,400,000 Total coins - 25,000,000 Face Value - £210,000 Despite the high number of coins, face value was low due to most of them being the 3 lowest coins. The 10.8 million pennies for example only equalled £45,000!, if that was Halfcrowns or Florins, it would be well over a million £. As you have worked out already, the shilling of 1952 is quite scarce, but examples in average (Fine) are still cheap and easy to find as it was the 1950s and cupronickel, plus most late 1940s and 1950s shillings saw mintages not much larger. The number of the other coins were huge and they are easier to find in better grades. My selection has an AU halfpenny, EF Penny, EF 3d, VF 6d and almost EF shilling. I do not recall paying more than a few dollars for any of these coins. 1952 was also the last year of King George VI coinage. He died on Waitangi Day (Feb 6th) and Elizabeth became Queen, however we had to wait one more year for her portrait to grace the coins. The high number of 1952 coins issued in New Zealand contrasts with the UK in which only the farthing, sixpence and threepence were issued. The Sixpence there from 1952 is quite rare, but pales next to the legendary 1952 British Halfcrown of which 5 are known to exist. Next 1953 - Coronation hysteria. Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 189897 Posts	Posted 02/02/2022 12:10 pm Very interesting! Coin Collector Since 1978 Avatar Old Avatar 7070 Eisenhower Australia Canada World CCF Members on eBay CCF eBay Search Engine Report this Post to the Staff
Princetane Pillar of the Community 4628 Posts	Posted 02/02/2022 7:03 pm 1953 - A new Queen and New Coins - Part 1 1953 saw the arrival of our present Queen on the coins, but apart from the portrait, nothing else changed. Numbers of the coins above Threepence were again very low and this was the last issue of Halfcrowns and Florins until 1961. 1953 Crown and Halfcrown (Both Uncirculated) 1953 other coins Florin down to Halfpenny, All VF to EF. Coins issued in 1953 Crowns - 250,000 Halfcrowns - 120,000 Florins - 250,000 Shillings - 200,000 Sixpences - 1,200,000 Threepences - 4,000,000 Pennies - 2,400,000 Halfpence - 720,000 Proof sets (Each containing 8 coins from ½d to Crown) - 7,000 sets (Total of 56,000 Proof coins) Total coins excluding Proof set coins - 9,140,000 With Proof set coins - 9,196,000 Face Value (Excluding PROOFS) - £194,000 Excluding the Crowns - £131,500 I have included these numbers as many catalogues seem to list 1953 mintages with the 7,000 proofs on the end (etc 127k Halfcrowns, 257k Florins etc) - But these coins never circulated. The Proof sets and Crowns have been discussed earlier and in detail in this thread, so I will not wax rhapsodical on them but concentrate on coins issued for circulation. The new effigy of the Queen, this was used from 1953 to 1955 and also the "rare" 1956 strapless 3d and 1d and less rare strapless 1957 6d. This is the Strapless effigy as there is no shoulder strap on the Queen. Apart from the 3d, all coin mintages for 1953 were very low, especially the Halfcrown which was just 120,000 coins and the 200,000 shillings. Florins were marginally better with 250k. Pennies and Sixpences were below average and the 720k Halfpennies was also very low and as you will see got lower in 1954/55. My collection has high grade 1951/52 and 1956 onwards halfpence, but my 1953 to 1955 ones are much more "average" condition. The number of threepences is fairly high, because of the demand for this coin. In 1954 the standard postage rate was 3d, a pint of milk cost 3d and most papers were 3d. This was the $1 coin of its time! And again the old adage that the coins were small and fiddly and very easily lost. It also means I can show you all this. 1953 3d - AU+/UNC. The Halfcrown and Florin would see their last issue until 1961 and generally these 2 are hard to find in bulk lots given their low mintage. They were issued more as a garnish and the Reserve Bank wanting a full issue of coins, so people could bed in the fact we had a new Queen. Slightly toned but essentially EF/AU Florin The rest of 1953 presents little challenge in average condition and apart from the Crown and Threepence, all the other coins are cheaper to buy as proofs than circulation pieces. Pepping's book mentions the first 1953 Circulation coins arrived in the country in September 1953, after the Coronation, but before the Royal Tour at least. Next Part 2 the Crown and Proof set (In brief) Report this Post to the Staff
Princetane Pillar of the Community 4628 Posts	Posted 02/02/2022 7:51 pm 1953 Part 2 - Crowns and Proofs I discuss these more exhaustively on Pages 3 and 5. Nothing much more to add, the coin was designed by Maurice Conly, a NZ based stamp designer and the Maori art on this coin has little or no context. It was cupronickel and sold in a perspex case that cost 6d extra. This extra charge put many people off. The cased example The same cases were used for British crowns as well. The coin had 250k minted and a further 7k proof ones ended up in those sets, only the standard coins could be brought loose. Released on December 1st 1953, the coins sold steadily but not like the 1949 coin, which had silver and more going for it. A few extra returned coins and unsold ones were re issued in March and May 1954 and sold out. The coin has little resale market and compared to the 1935 and even 1949 Crowns has little value. UNC examples are very common and cost under $10 each, getting one below EF could actually be difficult. Although legal tender, very few if any circulated. 7,000 Proof sets which featured a crown and the 7 standard circulation coins were also minted in London at The Royal Mint and all were sold by subscription, 3,600 came to NZ and the other 3,400 were left in the UK and distributed to global buyers. The standard of proofing was poor with only mirror polishing and no cameoing done. They were in the leatherette plush cases, most of which have tarnished with time and most sets are tarnished being placed in the case without any plastic covering (Plastic was in use by 1953 as British uncirculated sets of 1953 were placed in the stuff and the Crown holders were plastic). Values range from $100 for a tarnished set up to $500 for a near perfect one. There is some good examples on Page 5 of this thread. Next 1954 - Enter the doldrums, but with a scarce halfpenny Edited by Princetane 02/02/2022 7:52 pm Report this Post to the Staff
Princetane Pillar of the Community 4628 Posts	Posted 02/02/2022 8:02 pm Refresher Posts, Value of coins and buying power Unit of currency - Pound £ (l) Each pound is made up of 20 shillings - /- (s) Each shilling is made up of 12 pence - d Coins per pound Crowns 5/- , 4 to a pound, 60 pence Halfcrowns 2/6, 8 to a pound, 30 pence Florins 2/-, 10 to a pound, 24 pence Shillings 1/-, 20 to a pound, 12 pence Sixpence 6d, 40 to a pound Threepence 3d, 80 to a pound Penny 1d, 240 to a pound Halfpenny ½d, 480 to a pound Value as against the US Dollar 1933 - 1949 - Dollar at around 5 to 6 shillings Halfcrown - Worth around 50 cents Florin - 40 cents Shilling - 20 cents Sixpence - a dime, 10c Threepence - a nickel, 5c Penny - about 1.4 cents Halfpenny - about 0.7 of a cent Crown - $1 (95cents) 10/- $1.90 £1 - $3.75 £5 - $18.50 1949 - 1967 (After the devaluation of the Pound) - Dollar pegged at 7/- £5 - $14 £1 - $2.80 10/-, $1.40 Crown, - 70c Halfcrown - 35c Florin - 28c Shilling - 14c Sixpence - 7c Threepence - 3.5c Penny - 1c Halfpenny - ½c Value of NZ pound against others Sterling £ - 18/- to 1939, then parity Australia/Fiji - 25/- £1/5/- South Africa - 22/6 I think. Canada - $1 = 7/6 (A teeny bit less value than Greeback) Despite this, anything from the UK had its priced jacked up in NZ money due to tariffs. I have a 1960 toy catalogue which advertises train carriages in the UK sold at 7/- costing 9/3 here. Decimal changeover 1967 - Remember a decimal dollar was only 10/- and NOT a £. One Pound = 2 decimal dollars, a shilling was worth 10 cents new money and the 3d,1d and ½d were all scrapped as they did not compute to decimal cents (Base 12 versus base 10 counting system) £5 = $10 decimal dollars £1 = $2 10/- = $1 5/- = 50 cents 2/6 = 25 cents 2/- = 20 cents 1/- = 10 cents 6d = 5 cents 3d = 2½ cents 1d = 0.8166666 cents ½d = 0.4333333 cents Edited by Princetane 02/02/2022 8:09 pm Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 189897 Posts	Posted 02/03/2022 10:35 am Quote: Slightly toned but essentially EF/AU Florin Lovely tone! Quote: Refresher Posts, Value of coins and buying power It seems amazing anyone could keep all that right in their head, but they did. That is what happens with progress. Things do get easier so we can do more things. Coin Collector Since 1978 Avatar Old Avatar 7070 Eisenhower Australia Canada World CCF Members on eBay CCF eBay Search Engine Report this Post to the Staff
Princetane Pillar of the Community 4628 Posts	Posted 02/03/2022 8:28 pm 1954 - The Doldrums and a scarce halfpenny 1954 was known for the year in which only 4 of the 7 coins were issued and the Halfpenny is very scarce. 1954 coins (EF ½d and 3d, others VF) Coins issued in 1954 Halfcrowns, Florins and Shillings - None 6d, - 1,200,000 3d, - 4,000,000 1d, - 1,080,000 ½d, - 240,000 Total coins issued - 6,520,000 Face Value - £84,500 (Low numbers of low value coins) Very few coins were issued in 1954, particularly of the Halfpennies and Pennies and Sixpences were also issued in modest numbers, again Threepences had a high number due to their usefulness and popularity. AU grade 1954 Threepence - Scarce in this condition Part of the reason was a residual oversupply from the 1947/51 recoinage and also the fact that by 1954 real incomes were much higher and coins were fast becoming quite worthless. By 1955 the average man earned over £10 a week and hire purchase/homes and material comforts like refrigerators (Not Televisions as it was not introduced here until 1960) and cars were becoming a reality. Most of the money in use was Pound and Ten Bob notes, although more and more £5 were being used by this stage too. Generally 1954 despite its low number of coins issued, none of them are scarce in average grade, which by now is at least good Fine and even VF for most of the coins. The durable cupro nickel kept its details more intact for longer. Finding EF and UNC coins is harder, especially the bronze and prices for UNC ones are like $400, but drop to around $50 for EF, the 3d and 6d are only $50 each UNC and around $10 - $15 for EF. I can not understand why the Halfpenny has so few issued and high grade examples are quite rare. For some reason, not that many halfpence overall compared to pennies and threepenny bits were issued and this shortage would come back to bite the bank in the proverbial a decade later. 1954 in New Zealand was a year where 50s conservatism and hysteria hit its stride. It was a year of exaggerated moral panics... (details redacted) Movie stars like Marlon Brando, violent comics and general loafiness was blamed. It was a few years before Rock and roll though, which would cause its own moral panics a few years later. The real reason was a lot of bored teenagers with too much money and time and feeling isolated from society in general. Crime rates had dropped since the 1940s and would not rise until the 1970s. We still had military training until 1962 and many children were wrongly tarred with a few cases hyped up by a rabid media. The result was the "Mazengarb report" written a colourful minister born in 1880s and telling parents how to control their little harridans. They only issued it to "Working class and Maori families and those on benefits". In reality most of the bad kids were rich ones, not the poor. It was the beginning of the teenager. The rim on the higher value coins would become thicker after this year too. Next 1955 - The beginning of some changes. Edited by Princetane 02/03/2022 8:38 pm Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 189897 Posts	Posted 02/04/2022 12:30 pm Those were interesting times I suppose. On to the next installment... Coin Collector Since 1978 Avatar Old Avatar 7070 Eisenhower Australia Canada World CCF Members on eBay CCF eBay Search Engine Report this Post to the Staff
Princetane Pillar of the Community 4628 Posts	Posted 02/04/2022 9:31 pm 1955 - A unremarkable year except for varieties 1955 was another year of fairly low mintages of coins, with a small number of Halfpennies and shillings minted. It also presented an interesting error. 1955 coins (All VF except 3d which is EF) Coins issued in 1955 Shillings - 200,000 Sixpences - 1,600,000 Threepences - 4,000,000 (Est 40k Vampire dots) Pennies - 3,720,000 Halfpennies - 240,000 Total coins issued - 9,760,000 FV - £116,000 The shilling of 1955 is one of the most scarce and even average examples are costly like 1953. After 1955 it becomes more common at least, EF and higher examples cost $100s. The Halfpenny is also scarce and similar to 1954 in cost and availabilty and even an average coin is not that easy to find. If you buy a bulk bag of Halfpence, you can rest assure there are very few if any 1954 or 1955 (In fact most would likely be 1964 and 1965) ones. Sixpence numbers were below average and a nice 1955 one is quite desirable, but average coins are easy. Threepences and Pennies are quite common. The threepence as an interesting variety of 2 raised dots on the Queen's effigy. The dots were caused by die chipping and line up with the "N" in Second. They look like marks caused by Vampire fangs on a neck and hence why I can them vampire marks. It is more formally known as Raised Dots. Going by prices, this is a scarce error and yet no guess at the number minted is given, but with average (Fine) at $15 and my VF coin at $40 with higher grades shooting up into the hundreds, my guess is less than 100k were minted this way and as possibly as few as 20k. A standard 1955 3d is a $1 coin and UNC one around $30. There is also some lamination flaws around her nose extending to the edge of the coin. There is also an error with an identation around the Queen's nose and eye cavity (Her Majesty took a knocking this year), it is more common than the Dots, but one that wears off quickly being high detail. Finally the rim on the "Silver" coins from this year is thicker and the design seems slightly smaller than 1954. 1955 was also the last year of the Strapless effigy of the Queen (It was not detailed and even UNC coins look worn due to the lack of detail). Starting in 1956 the effigy was retooled to give her a shoulder strap and more detail. So that means there are 1956 and even 1957 "Strapless" coins which are now scarce to rare and you will see some coming up. There is apparently even a 1955 Strapped sixpence, but this coin is so rare, it is believed 2 or 3 exist and one sold recently for around $50,000. Edited by Princetane 02/04/2022 9:41 pm Report this Post to the Staff
Princetane Pillar of the Community 4628 Posts	Posted 02/05/2022 9:33 pm 1956 - Modernity and the Errors strike back By 1956 the NZ coin series is well established and the coins are more commonly found, being base metal and minted in high numbers. Average coins with the exception of "varieties" are all now found in at least VF condition and you will notice a vast overall improvement in my specimens from this year on. The year is however most known for its two "Strapless coins". 1956 coins to Jan last year (All EF or AU except Penny and Strapless 3d (VF and F). Numbers issued in 1956 Shillings - 800,000 Sixpence - 2,000,000 Threepence - 4,800,000 Penny - 3,600,000 Halfpenny - 1,200,000 Strapless coins (Figures are included in mintages above) Threepences - 300,000 (Guess) Pennies - 10,000 to 50,000 (These are more scarce than the 1935 3d). These are estimations as no one at the mint was counting these errors as they came out, and were picked up by collectors later and are educated guesses. Total coins issued - 12,400,000 Face Value - £170,000 Reverses - these coins with the exception of the one strapless 3d - are showing the new and more detailed effigy of the Queen. 1956 was the arrival of the new effigy of the Queen, she has a shoulder strap and the details on her hair and face are much sharper giving a nicer portrait. Coins issued between 1953 and 1955 had the strapless portrait which was less detailed and wore quicker. In 1956 however some Pennies and Threepences were minted with this older portrait and these are major collectibles. It was unlikely they were picked up at the mint and likely they were discovered only when they arrived here. Obviously someone was using the old dies for the Reverse and switched these over part way through the minting process (When you are minting millions of coins, you are likely to have several machines doing it over days and even months and even dispatch to NZ would have been in several ships - a million pennies does take up a lot of space!). This error only affected the 1d and 3d in 1956 and bizarrely the 6d in 1957. There are also unconfirmed reports of a strapless 1959 6d! The strapless coin is on the right - notice the lack of detail on her face and bust. The Obverses are identical (Except the strapless coin is more worn obviously) The threepence is the more common of the two and a F/VF one should only cost 10 or so. Another way to tell them apart is the strapless coins have the + in the inscription pointing to a bead, the strapped coins its pointing in between the beads. These coins are quite expensive in high grades. Strapless penny again at right - notice the lack of detail again The pennies are much more rare and guesses of 10 - 50k were minted and even a worn (Fine+) like mine is close to $100 and most were filtered out of circulation early on after decimalisation. The wide range of mintage is interesting too. This is a very collectible coin and a major one missing from many collections. They are also very misidentified and many people with a worn 1956 will assume its strapless. The way to tell is the U in Queen, on a strapless the ligature is smaller and the first upright of the U points to a bead, on a strapped coin the upright is between beads. Also the earlier strapless effigy you can see the designers initials on the base of the bust. This is also because the number of beads was adjusted on the coins as the effigy was updated. Again the fronts gave no clue to the other side The rest of 1956 is fairly normal, the Halfpence and Shillings are still low mintage, but much easier to get for your collection. Numbers of 3d and 6d again are quite good and the penny numbers are decent, but as you see will take off in coming years. Next 1957 - Prosperity unlimited and an interesting 6 pence. Report this Post to the Staff
Princetane Pillar of the Community 4628 Posts	Posted 02/07/2022 04:21 am 1957, a dull year enhanced by a sixpence 1957 was like most late 1950s years, moderate numbers of coins with few varieties and presenting few difficulties in getting. Coins of 1957 with both Sixpences Coins minted in 1957 Shillings - 800,000 Sixpences - 2,400,000 Threepences - 8,000,000 Pennies - 2,400,000 Halfpence - 1,440,000 Strapless Sixpence - est 200,000 (Included in total) Total coins issued - 15,040,000 Face Value - £243,000 Strapless 1957 Sixpence The most interesting coin of this year is the strapless sixpence and this is bizarre given that all 1956 sixpences have the shoulder strap. The only explanation was someone at the mint used an old portrait of the Queen as a Obverse die on the new 1957 sixpences (As the date is changed on Reverse dies in each new year or at least the date slug is). And then they were caught part way through and told to use the correct die. The other explanation is the portrait die was worn out and they used the old one in place of it as a new one arrived (Unlikely as it was only one year old and NZ coin mintages are miniscule next to other countries). The error coin is not that rare and an average one is around $15 in average condition. No other 1957 coin including the penny and threepence was strapless. Beyond the 6d, there is little else of interest with 1957, again we have a low mintage of shillings and also the numbers of bronze are quite low by other year standards. The number of Threepences wasa very high 8 million - which signifies the coin's popularity. This makes up over half of all 1957's coins and nearly half of the face value. Because of the high number minted, this virtually uncirculated 1957 threepence cost me just $7. Overall 1957 was a good year here, with record high wool pices, prosperity, full employment and bizarrely a Labour government was voted in. It proved to be a mistake as 1958 revealed a "Black" budget which saw new taxes and belt tightening. It cost Labour the election in 1960. Also Rock and Roll hit New Zealand with Elvis becoming a number one pop idol and moral panics over teenagers doing rock and roll dances and riding motorcycles around the milk bars (Shades of 1954?) and sharing malts together etc. One harridan got lambasted for running up a 9d library fine. The funniest story was a rock n roll party in a graveyard when elders found a broken record player, discarded records and bottles of coca cola amongst the headstones! I kid you not this was front page news here then. Next 1958 - another humdrum year. Report this Post to the Staff
triggersmob Pillar of the Community Australia 9467 Posts	Posted 02/07/2022 04:55 am Quote: The funniest story was a rock n roll party in a graveyard Very strange. If that was me I would have played Monster Mash and Transylvania Twist. :) Report this Post to the Staff
jbuck Moderator United States 189897 Posts	Posted 02/07/2022 3:30 pm Another nice reading and viewing selection for my return from break. Coin Collector Since 1978 Avatar Old Avatar 7070 Eisenhower Australia Canada World CCF Members on eBay CCF eBay Search Engine Report this Post to the Staff
Princetane Pillar of the Community 4628 Posts	Posted 02/07/2022 8:14 pm Would have more likely been "I put a spell on you" by Screamin Jay Hawkins and "That ol black magic" by Ella and Louie as the songs you mention Steve were released in 1962. Even Purple People eater dates from late 1958! Report this Post to the Staff
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