Australian And New Zealand Coins, How Far Back Can We Go - First Edition

Nice example and photo!

Did you know there are 25 crowns superimposed on that coin in a chain, one crown for each year of her reign to that point (Imagine that now?)

NZ for 1977 I have some more!


A large dollar in its case, and a Uncirculated set in its folder.



The set makes me laugh with its hideous wood grained coloured vinyl case, only in the 1970s could you get away with mock plastic wood covering. The coins are another matter with the Dollar showing Treaty house at Waitangi.

This is where James Busby the British resident lived from 1835 to 1842 (The house was a kitset building bought across from England in 1834/35) - In 1933 it was gifted to the nation by the Governor and in 1977 it became a National shrine, with her Majesty visiting it.

You can walk around the house now (The local Maoris control the grounds and charge you $$$ to get in and give you a spiel about how their land was stolen .. ). But until 1995 it was free and no Maori protestor impact.

The coins included a special Anniversary inscription on the dollar. The plastic on the set was a lower quality than 1980 as NR's set showed and is brittle, hence the toning on the copper.

1977

The year I attended university.
Yes, it only lasted one year.

About the only decent coin pic I have from that year is this...



Steve :)

NumisRob,

I didn't know you had Kiwi citizenship, I knew you had some Kiwi ancestry though - cool.
Now your proof set I would say that smudge is from an imperceptible tiny crack in the plastic, or there was some cold moist air that slipped in before the case was sealed. If it is cracks, this is pressure cracking from a bad sealing process, or that set has been dropped on the floor harshly or exposed to some pressure (Like being flown in a very high plane or pressurised environment).

I would open it and liberate the coins (use gloves or handle on the edge, although 1977 sets are not that rare and an intact one can be bought for $50 or so at most). However opening these suckers is hard, these were sealed for posterity and plus the coins still look fine!

That style of case was introduced to NZ Proof sets in 1971 and 1970s examples are now found cracked and split in some cases. I would also examine the seams and sides for any cracks or holes.

You are lucky too, as 1977 was the first year of the regular Sterling silver dollar issue in those proof sets. Here is a 1976 Proof set I have and as you can see the dollar is cupro nickel, meaning its worth a lot less than the 1977!

The 1974 Proof set with the Commonwealth games dollar was silver too, but all other pre 1977 dollars, uncirculated, specimen and polished are all cupro nickel.




The quality of the coin polishing is great and you get that cameoed finish but alas its like pearling a sow's ear!

1976 was also a year of the Coat of Arms dollar. The last special commem designs being in 1974, being revived in 1977/78 and then every year from 1980 onwards. Hence why 1976 is a cheap year like 1967, 1971/72/73, 75 and 79.

I got this 76 set as I was born in that year and at $5, it was a bargain I could not turn down!



Shows the packet, an older photo.

The other thing I don't get about these early Proof sets, is the ESOL inscription - "New Zealand Proof coin", makes no sense at all ,sounds like something that was made in China!

In 1982 this was changed to "Proof set", which at least makes more sense.

Princetane - thanks for your advice about the 1977 proof set. I think I'll leave it alone for the time being!

I have no such problems with my 1976 proof set!





Princetane - my Dad was born in Wellington. My Mum was English, but after they married my parents lived in NZ until the 1950s and my elder brother was born there. I was born in the quintessentially English town of Tunbridge Wells but am very proud of my Kiwi citizenship!

Great coins and stories guys, you could get a British passport in NZ if you had a grandparent born in the UK, or you were born before January 1 1949.

My partner qualifies (His Dad was born in the East end, and he was born before 1949)

I miss out by one generation, my MAORI dad had an English passport because his grandmother was born in the UK in 1905 and came out to New Zealand in 1926 as a domestic servant and married his 100% Maori grandad (My Maori great grandad). On my Pakeha (White) side, I am at least 5th generation Kiwi and the last ancestor of mine to leave the UK was in 1875!

Yes my Halfcrowns and Florins have more claim to UK citizenship and ancestry than I do.

1975

Aus 5 cents


Aus One cent


Steve :)

1975 may be my worst year so far, the 2nd half was spent in utereo changing from an ova to an embryo and then by December a 5 month old foetus probably with laungo and recognisable human form.





For Australia, an EF 10 cent coin and AU 5 cent piece (That is how dire my collection is for the year of the Skyhooks)





New Zealand a lot better with these UNC 2c, 20c and 50c pieces, found in my collection of loose coins, I am sure they may have been part of a set once. Coins this nice generally do not survive 30+ years in circulation.

Tomorrow things pick up a bit as we head into the first decae of decimal currency in both nations.

My coin ladies bought me another bag today, mostly modern grot - but an UNC 1983 and 1981 Australian 50 cent piece, which will upgrade the ones I have.