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Currency exhibitions.

James Berry and Aotearoa’s 1967 decimal coin designs

Designer James Berry produced a series of designs for the new decimal coins that were introduced in 1967. See some of the early drawings and designs that were created during this process.

Published:

Designing the new coins

The change to decimal currency in 1967 was the largest shift in New Zealand’s currency since the first national notes and coins were issued in the early 1930s.

James Berry was commissioned to produce the designs in 1966. He developed 4 design series, each with their own theme. 26 designs were made public for comment, but this wasn’t a public selection process.

The Coinage Design Advisory Committee landed on using 6 designs that represented classic New Zealand iconography:

  • Fern leaf (1 cent)
  • Kōwhai flower (2 cent)
  • Tuatara (5 cent)
  • Koruru (10 cent)
  • Kiwi (20 cent)
  • Endeavour (50 cent)

The designs have proved enduring. Berry’s 10 and 50 cent coin designs remain in use today.

Other decimal currency exhibits

1967 ten cent coin design

The themes and thinking behind New Zealand’s 1967 decimal coin designs

A research paper exploring New Zealand’s original decimal coins.
2 cent coin stamped with Bahamas Islands, 1967

Problems with the 1967 decimal coinage

Exhibit

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

$100 banknote design drawing

Producing the new decimal currency

Exhibit

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