1916 Courage & Commitment

As part of the First World War five year programme, New Zealand Post will issue legal tender commemorative coins. These highly collectable and intricately designed silver proof and gold proof coins highlight New Zealanders roles in the war in 1916.

916 Courage & Commitment Silver Proof Coin

As part of the First World War five year programme, New Zealand Post will issue legal tender commemorative coins. These highly collectable and intricately designed silver proof and gold proof coins highlight New Zealanders roles in the war in 1916.This 1oz silver proof coin illustrates New Zealand’s involvement in the Battle of the Somme.

In April 1916 the New Zealand Division arrived on the Western Front to what was a very different theatre of war from Gallipoli. By the time the New Zealand infantry withdrew on 4 October, and the New Zealand artillery followed on 25 October, the New Zealand Division had captured nine kilometres of trenches and 1,000 Germans, and earned praise for their bravery. However, the cost for New Zealand was high, with approximately 6,000 wounded and 2,000 killed, in New Zealand’s most devastating battle of the war.

The background of the coin depicts men in action at the Somme while the foreground shows the day to day realities of life in the trenches.

Denomination: One New Zealand dollar Finish: Proof Composition: 0.999 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: New Zealand soldiers at the Somme Worldwide mintage limit: 2,500 Mint: Royal Australian Mint