New Zealand 1951 1/2 crown

Heritage sale 3037, lot 30403

photo courtesy Heritage Auction Galleries

This specimen was lot 30403 in Heritage sale 3037 (New York, January 2015), where it sold for $3,290. The catalog description^[1] noted, "George VI Proof 1/2 Crown 1951 PR66 NGC. Sublime, with exceptionally glossy surfaces that appear golden-gray upon first glance, but upon closer inspection actually yield a surprising array of pastel tone. The devices are most impressive, with all detail fully-rendered and delicately tinted by the surrounding complexion. Tremendously appealing and nearly perfect in all respects." 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 is a common issue, struck 1948-51 but the proofs are rare. In 1948 the obverse legend was revised to "KING GEORGE THE SIXTH." The denomination was terminated upon decimalization in 1965-66.

Recorded mintage: 1,200,000 plus a few proofs.

Specification: 14.14 g, copper-nickel, 32 mm diameter.

Catalog reference: KM 19.

Source:

• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• ^[1]Bierrenbach, Cristiano, Warren Tucker and Scott Cordry, Heritage Signature Auction 3037, featuring the Empire, the Santa Catarina, the Law and the Santa Maria Collections, Dallas, TX: Heritage Auction Galleries, 2014.

Link to:

• 1947 half crown
• 1947 shilling
• 1951 half penny
• 1951 sixpence
• 1951 florin
• 1951 threepence
• 1953 half crown
• Coins and currency dated 1951
• return to coins of New Zealand