NZ Post to release coins marking King Charles III coronation

There will be six coins, minted in silver and gold, to commemorate King Charles III's coronation....
There will be six coins, minted in silver and gold, to commemorate King Charles III's coronation. Photo: Supplied / NZ Post
NZ Post has produced commemorative coins to mark the upcoming coronation of King Charles III.

The series of six coins are minted in silver and gold, including one 11mm gold coin weighing half a gram, and will be released on  May 3.

The coins were designed by Stephen Fuller of Wellington and, as was tradition, the King's portrait faced in the opposite direction of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, who died in September last year, aged 96. 

The design was personally approved by the King.

Image: NZ Post website
Image: NZ Post website

NZ Post stamps and collectables head Antony Harris said King Charles III would be the first king of New Zealand to appear on the country's decimal currency.

"It is fitting that the first appearance of His Majesty's effigy will be on coins commemorating the coronation."

New Zealand coins have always featured a portrait of the reigning monarch, beginning with King George V in 1933 when New Zealand coinage was first introduced to replace British currency.

NZ Post will also issue stamps to commemorate the coronation, including a sheet featuring images from the coronation ceremony on 6 May.