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Kōrero: Coins and banknotes

British coins used in New Zealand

British coins minted by the Royal Mint were used in New Zealand until 1933, when the first New Zealand coins were issued. This is a selection of British coins dating from the reigns of King William IV (1830–37) and Queen Victoria (1836–1901), which would have been used in New Zealand. The Prince of Wales model half-sovereign (middle row, right) was a form of non-legal-tender 'play' money commonly used in board games. The descriptive text has been added to the photograph.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Alexander Turnbull Library

Reference: 1/2-005740-F

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Kerryn Pollock, Coins and banknotes – Varied coins and banknotes, 1840s to 1930s, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/zoomify/36381/british-coins-used-in-new-zealand (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Kerryn Pollock, i tāngia i te 5 June 2012.