New Zealand's silver journey is deeply tied to the standards of the United Kingdom. Until the early 1930s, British silver circulated as legal tender in the islands. When New Zealand finally issued its own distinct coinage in 1933, it adopted a 50% silver standard. This was consistent with the debasement occurring across the Commonwealth, including nearby Australia.
These designs featured unique local fauna like the Kiwi and the Huia. They remained in circulation until the mid-1940s when silver was entirely replaced by cupro-nickel. The series is anchored by the prestigious Waitangi Crown, a coin that remains a holy grail for collectors of South Pacific silver.
| Coin Type | Purity | Years | ASW (oz) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crown (Waitangi / Royal) | 50.0% | 1935-1953 | 0.4546 |
| Half Crown | 50.0% | 1933-1946 | 0.2273 |
| Florin | 50.0% | 1933-1946 | 0.1818 |
| Shilling | 50.0% | 1933-1946 | 0.0909 |
| Sixpence | 50.0% | 1933-1946 | 0.0455 |
| Threepence | 50.0% | 1933-1946 | 0.0227 |
