Here is another 50 % coin from New Zealand . As I was searching for some history tidbits from 1940 I realized that the world was so taken up with WW 2 we almost forgot to be humans . So no tidbits !! Today's coin was minted in 1940 by the Royal Mint in London to commemorate the 100th birthday of New Zealand ! There were only 100,000 of these minted . They were struck from .500% silver , weighed 14.14 grams , and were 32 mm in diameter .
The obverse of this awesome coin shows a portrait of a bareheaded King George VI facing left surrounded by the legend GEORGE VI KING EMPEROR .
The reverse of this coin features a Maori woman with arms outstretched with the sun radiating behind her . The structures shown in the background are a "warefuni" (thatched hut) , and "puhara" (look-out tower) , and some European buildings . The words 'NEW ZEALAND CENTENNIAL HALF CROWN' are written above , and a scroll reading "1840 1940" below .
The edge of today's coin is reeded .
Thank you kindly !! mikegpo
