Shilling (New Zealand coin)

Shilling

New Zealand
Value	1s (£NZ)
Mass	5.66 g
Diameter	23.65 mm
Edge	Milled
Composition	1933–1946: 50% silver, 50% quaternary alloy 1947–1965: cupronickel (75% copper, 25% nickel)
Years of minting	1933–1965
Obverse
Design	Crowned bust of George V
Designer	Percy Metcalfe
Reverse
Design	A Māori warrior in piupiu, crouched, holding a taiaha.
Designer	George Kruger Gray

The New Zealand shilling was first issued in 1933 alongside four other denominations of New Zealand pound coinage, introduced due to shortages of comparable British silver coinage following the devaluation of the New Zealand pound relative to the pound sterling. Roughly 24 mm in diameter, it is slightly larger than the British coin it replaced. Worth twelve pence, the denomination was equal to half a florin, two sixpence, or two-fifths of a half-crown.

Early designs by Percy Metcalfe depicting a kiwi or crossed Māori tools were rejected by the Royal Mint. Another design featuring a kiwi by George Kruger Gray entered pattern production, but was dismissed by acting prime minister Gordon Coates in favour of a design depicting a Māori man supported by several Māori politicians. Featuring a shirtless Māori warrior crouched on rocks while holding a taiaha, the initially silver coin was released to generally critical public response. Issued in 50% silver until a postwar rise in silver prices triggered a shift to cupronickel in 1947, the coin was minted with relative consistency until 1965, when it was discontinued following decimalisation and the adoption of the New Zealand dollar. Shillings remained legal tender as 10c coins until they were demonetised on 31 October 2006.