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Currency exhibitions.

Learn about the history of New Zealand's currency. See how our banknotes and coins have evolved, find out the story behind our move to decimal currency, and see some rare items from our archive.

Decimal currency launch 1967

Designer James Berry working on the 1967 decimal coin series.

James Berry and Aotearoa's 1967 decimal coins

See some of the early drawings and designs.

Dollars and cents and you booklet tile

Preparing NZ for decimal currency

Learn about the widespread campaign that was launched ahead of DC Day, 10 July 1967.

$100 banknote design drawing

Producing the new decimal currency

Explore the new decimal currency, including the $100 banknote featuring the reigning monarch for the first time.

2 cent coin stamped with Bahamas Islands, 1967

Problems with the 1967 decimal coinage

An exhibit looking at the ‘Bahamas Mule’, our first 2 cent pieces mistakenly stamped with the words ‘Bahama Islands’.

Currency history

Currency timeline tile

Currency timeline

Explore how our banknotes and coins have evolved from the early 1800s to today.

Fiji overprinted note

Treasures from the vault

See some highlights from our archive of historical currency.

Printing money

Banknote signatories

See a timeline of the Governors and Chief Cashiers who signed our banknotes.

Coins in circulation

Gold Pūkaki coin in waka huia (treasure box)

Pūkaki and the 20 cent coin

Explore the story of Pūkaki, and how his image came to be on the current 20 cent coin.

ANZAC reverse side

ANZAC coin

The ANZAC commemorative coin was issued in 2016 to mark the 100th anniversary of Gallipoli.

Armistice coin

Armistice coin

We issued a coin in 2018 to commemorate the signing of the Armistice at the end of World War I.

Banknote design features

Banknote design features

Learn about the design features of New Zealand's Series 7 banknotes. See the people, flora and fauna, and landmarks that are celebrated.

View the interactive