A design fit for a Queen

This pure one-ounce silver proof coin features Queen Elizabeth II in brilliant 3D relief. Based on a photograph, her gown and jewellery reflect the importance of her task – to broadcast her Christmas message to her people around the Commonwealth. The Queen’s Christmas message is a highly anticipated part of Christmas Day, and it typically touches on the year’s major events, as well as the sovereign’s personal milestones. In 1953 the message finished with a note of sympathy for the people of New Zealand in the wake of the Tangiwai rail disaster of the previous night.

New Zealand’s Christmas Tree

The left-hand side of this $1 coin features flowers from New Zealand’s beautiful pōhutukawa tree (Metrosideros) in full colour. These native New Zealand flowers bloom at Christmas time in New Zealand, which falls at the height of summer. The pōhutukawa tree is therefore commonly referred to as the New Zealand Christmas tree.

The official New Zealand emblem

The New Zealand emblem of the Diamond Jubilee is rendered in 3D relief on the right-hand side of the coin, adding to the official nature of this coin issue. The emblem features a diamond, inside which the Royal Cypher sits. The Royal Cypher consists of the letters and Roman numeral, E II R surmounted by a Royal Crown (St Edward’s Crown). The diamond is edged with eight koru, linked by a double chain to representations of stylised mānuka flowers at each point; the left and right flowers bear the dates 1952 and 2012 respectively.