1914 For King and Empire Silver Proof Coin – The Announcement of War

As part of the First World War five year programme, New Zealand Post will issue legal tender commemorative coins. This highly collectable and intricately designed silver proof coin depicts the day that New Zealand entered the fray – on 5 August 1914, as a British colony, New Zealand was at war with Germany.

This 1oz silver proof coin portrays the official announcement of New Zealand’s declaration of war. When Great Britain declared war on Germany, New Zealand was drawn into the fray by virtue of still being a part of the British Empire. The design shows the announcement of war by the Governor on the steps of the General Assembly Library, now known as the Parliamentary Library, as Parliament had burned down in 1907. The foreground features an eager paperboy selling the day’s big headline – war had been declared.

Denomination: One New Zealand dollar Finish:Proof Composition:0.9999 silver Weight: 1 troy oz Diameter:40mm Edge treatment:Milled Shape:Round Obverse design:Portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley, United Kingdom

Reverse design: Announcement of War Worldwide mintage limit: 2,000 Mint: Royal Australian Mint