New Zealand 1954 penny
This specimen was lot 74272 in Stack's Bowers Collector's Choice sale (Costa Mesa, CA, February 2023), where it sold for $2,040. The catalog description[1] noted, "NEW ZEALAND. Penny, 1954. Elizabeth II. PCGS PROOF-64 Red Brown. Seldom offered in Proof finish, this example is flashy with a detailed strike. When cradled in hand, a fire red bounds off the surfaces paired with areas of purple toning that creates a truly stand out piece." New Zealand did not receive her own coinage until 1933, British coins being used heretofore. Issue of pennies and half pennies did not begin until 1940. This type was minted 1953-56. This date is uncommon but the proofs are rare. The coinage was decimalized in 1967.
Recorded mintage: 1,080,400 plus proofs.
Specification: 9.6 g, bronze, 30.6 mm diameter.
Catalog reference: KM-24.1.
- Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
- [1]Orsini, Matt, Kyle Ponterio and Jeremy Bostwick, February 2023 World Collectors Choice Online Auction, featuring the David Sterling Collection, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.
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