New Zealand 1952 6 pence

Stack's Bowers 2023 ANA sale, lot 52449

This specimen was lot 52449 in Stack's Bowers ANA sale (Pittsburgh, PA, August 2023), where it sold for $1,020. The catalog description^[1] noted, "NEW ZEALAND. 6 Pence, 1952. London Mint. George VI. PCGS PROOF-65. A RARE proof offering of this minor, the present Gem offers enchanting rings of iridescent toning upon each side." This sixpence struck for George VI retained the huia bird reverse introduced with George V. In 1948, the obverse was revised from "GEORGE VI KING EMPEROR" to "KING GEORGE THE SIXTH", and struck in that form until 1952. The denomination was terminated upon decimalization in 1965. Wikipedia comments, "The huia (Heteralocha acutirostris) is an extinct species of New Zealand wattlebird, endemic to the North Island of New Zealand. The last confirmed sighting of a huia was in 1907."

Recorded mintage: 3,200,000 plus proofs.

Specification: 2.83 g, copper-nickel, 19.3 mm diameter.

Catalog reference: KM-16.

Source:

• 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, August 2023 Global Showcase Auction, World & Ancient Coins, Costa Mesa, CA: Stack's Bowers Galleries, Inc., 2023.

Link to:

• 1951 sixpence
• 1952 half penny
• 1952 penny
• 1952 threepence
• South Africa 1952 6 pence
• 1952 shilling
• 1953 sixpence
• Coins and currency dated 1952