Title:
2015 NZ Annual Commemorative
Description:
The precious huia takes centre stage on the 2015
New Zealand Annual Coin - the second in a series that looks at extinct species of New Zealand.
Endemic to New Zealand, the huia (Heteralocha acutirostris) was the largest of the five wattlebird species found in New Zealand. It had a large population of somewhere between 30,000 and 90,000. with numbers possibly being higher pre-human settlement. The huia was named by Māori after the distinctive call it made and was considered a sacred bird - so much so that even today treasure boxes are referred to as ’wakahuia’ after the bird. Initially, wakahuia were used to store huia feathers when they weren’t being worn as ear adornments or as part of the ancient war plume, ’marereko’, which contained 12 feathers.
The huia had a very distinctive appearance, and the difference in features between the male and female birds initially had ornithologists believe they were two separate species. Both the male and the female birds had black feathers with a green/blue iridescent sheen. Their tail-feathers had white tips forming a bold white band along the tail. The male’s bill was short and thick, while the female’s bill was slender and long with a remarkable downwards curve to it. It’s thought the two birds worked together to find food - the male would use his bill to break apart rotten wood in trees, while the female would use hers to probe insects from their holes in harder wood, which the male could not.
The extinction of the huia is a sad tale. Initially the numbers were threatened due to introduced predators, as were those of many endemic New Zealand species, but their disappearance was accelerated by hunting. The huia was revered for its beautiful plumage and unusual sexual dimorphism, making it a popular addition to stuffed-bird collections in museums and homes, while the female’s bill was used as a brooch adorment for women. Despite many attempts to protect the huia under law, it sadly became extinct in the early 1900s. The last sighting of huia was in 1907, although rumours persisted of their existence through the 1920s.
Uniquely New Zealand design
Designed by renowned Māori artist Dave Burke, this coin features a female huia in three-dimensional relief in the centre with manaia patterns in the background. A mythical bird-like figure, a manaia is a messenger between the earthly and spiritual realms, a holder of spiritual energy and a guardian against evil. The manaia patterns have been placed in the background to connect the huia to the Māori world.
The koru featured on the coin are spiral shapes based on a new silver fern frond, and symbolise new life, growth, strength. peace and reaching towards the light. The circular shape of the koru helps to convey the idea of perpetual movement, while the inner coil suggests a return to the point of origin. The overall background shape symbolises outstretched wings, flight and movement.
This New Zealand legal tender coin is the only $5 commemorative coin to be issued annually and is limited to just 1,500 coins worldwide.
New Zealand Annual Coin - the second in a series that looks at extinct species of New Zealand.
Endemic to New Zealand, the huia (Heteralocha acutirostris) was the largest of the five wattlebird species found in New Zealand. It had a large population of somewhere between 30,000 and 90,000. with numbers possibly being higher pre-human settlement. The huia was named by Māori after the distinctive call it made and was considered a sacred bird - so much so that even today treasure boxes are referred to as ’wakahuia’ after the bird. Initially, wakahuia were used to store huia feathers when they weren’t being worn as ear adornments or as part of the ancient war plume, ’marereko’, which contained 12 feathers.
The huia had a very distinctive appearance, and the difference in features between the male and female birds initially had ornithologists believe they were two separate species. Both the male and the female birds had black feathers with a green/blue iridescent sheen. Their tail-feathers had white tips forming a bold white band along the tail. The male’s bill was short and thick, while the female’s bill was slender and long with a remarkable downwards curve to it. It’s thought the two birds worked together to find food - the male would use his bill to break apart rotten wood in trees, while the female would use hers to probe insects from their holes in harder wood, which the male could not.
The extinction of the huia is a sad tale. Initially the numbers were threatened due to introduced predators, as were those of many endemic New Zealand species, but their disappearance was accelerated by hunting. The huia was revered for its beautiful plumage and unusual sexual dimorphism, making it a popular addition to stuffed-bird collections in museums and homes, while the female’s bill was used as a brooch adorment for women. Despite many attempts to protect the huia under law, it sadly became extinct in the early 1900s. The last sighting of huia was in 1907, although rumours persisted of their existence through the 1920s.
Uniquely New Zealand design
Designed by renowned Māori artist Dave Burke, this coin features a female huia in three-dimensional relief in the centre with manaia patterns in the background. A mythical bird-like figure, a manaia is a messenger between the earthly and spiritual realms, a holder of spiritual energy and a guardian against evil. The manaia patterns have been placed in the background to connect the huia to the Māori world.
The koru featured on the coin are spiral shapes based on a new silver fern frond, and symbolise new life, growth, strength. peace and reaching towards the light. The circular shape of the koru helps to convey the idea of perpetual movement, while the inner coil suggests a return to the point of origin. The overall background shape symbolises outstretched wings, flight and movement.
This New Zealand legal tender coin is the only $5 commemorative coin to be issued annually and is limited to just 1,500 coins worldwide.
Country:
New Zealand
Year:
2015
Mintage:
0480/1,500
Material:
Silver
Denomination:
$5.00
Weight:
1 oz
Diameter:
40 mm
Edge:
reeded
Designers:
Ian Rank-Broadley
Dave Burke
Royal Dutch Mint
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Date Added:
2018-06-08 16:55:05
Date Added:
2018-06-08 16:55:05
