The Coronation took place at Westminster Abbey, London on 2 June 1953, nearly 18 months after Queen Elizabeth II succeeded her father, King George VI.

The Coronation ceremony is steeped in history, and for the past 900 years the ceremony has been held at Westminster Abbey. The strong connection between New Zealand and the Queen was reinforced on the eve of the Coronation, when it was announced that New Zealander Edmund Hillary had conquered Mt Everest in the Himalayas. Four days after the Coronation, the Queen knighted Sir Edmund.

This special stamp issue features the six main depictions of the Queen on New Zealand legal tender coins. Currency plays an important role in portraying a country’s national identity, and the Queen’s presence on the obverse side of New Zealand’s coins reflects the importance of her role as the Queen of New Zealand.

When a monarch such as Queen Elizabeth II rules for a long time, the depiction of their image on currency becomes a marker of history. Elements such as hair style, skin, clothing and royal headgear (laurel wreath, diadem or crown) change to give a spectrum of Her Majesty during her 60-year reign.

The stamps in this issue feature the six main portraits that have appeared on New Zealand‘s legal tender coins – five on circulating currency and one on a commemorative coin.

The six stamps in this issue are sure to stand out in your collection. The Queen’s portrait has been created using hotstamp foil and multiple-level embossing – resulting in beautiful stamps that resemble the coins they are representing.

70c – Portrait by Mary Gillick, 1953

In 1953 New Zealand, along with Britain and other countries, issued the portrait of the youthful Queen designed by Mrs Mary Gillick. It depicted the young Queen’s bust down to her shoulders and outlined the Queen’s right arm in a delicate dress. The Queen’s right ear can be seen through her carefully arranged curls, and her profile is adorned with a laurel wreath tied at the back of the head with a ribbon blowing freely.

70c – Portrait by Mary Gillick, 1956 (re-engraved)

It was widely considered that the engraving of Mary Gillick’s 1953 design did not show the detail well. Therefore the coin was re-engraved and the new die was introduced on coins in New Zealand in 1956. On the new die the relief was lowered and more detail was added to the hair. The most prominent change was to show the detail on the Queen’s dress more clearly, which was barely visible on the original 1953 engraving.

$1.40 – Portrait by Arnold Machin, 1967

The third effigy of the Queen to be used on a New Zealand coin was created by Arnold Machin. It was in use in New Zealand from 1967 to 1985. The Queen was depicted as a more mature woman in this design, which portrayed her down to the shoulders with a visible dress. The laurel wreath from the Gillick design was replaced with a light open-work diadem with a motif of lily (called the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland diadem).

$1.90 – Portrait by James Berry, 1979

Reginald George James Berry’s design of the Queen’s head was incorporated on New Zealand commemorative large dollar coins from 1979 to 1982. The design was unique to New Zealand and depicted the Queen wearing the Russian Fringe Tiara, which was originally given by the ‘Ladies in Society’ to Queen Alexandra on her Silver Wedding anniversary in 1888. Berry completed more than 1,000 stamp and coin designs in his lifetime.

$2.40 – Portrait by Raphael Maklouf, 1986

A Raphael Maklouf design was selected for a new Queen’s effigy in 1986, and the design showed the Queen without robes surrounding the neckline. The Queen’s head features an openwork diadem with four crosses pattée alternating with four bouquets of flowers. The Queen’s jewellery includes a necklace of closely arranged diamonds and tear-shaped earrings made for Queen Victoria in 1858, which were worn by Queen Elizabeth II during her Coronation.

$2.90 – Portrait by Ian Rank-Broadley, 1999

A competition for a new portrait was held by the British Royal Mint in 1996, and the chosen design by Ian Rank-Broadley was used on New Zealand coins from 1999. The portrait of the Queen is very realistic, with the softly outlined wrinkles reflecting the Queen’s age. The image includes just the head and neck of the Queen and her head is adorned with the same openwork diadem (the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland) that was used in the Arnold Machin design.

Remember the Coronation with the presentation pack

The presentation pack is a great way to remember this special anniversary of the Coronation. It has been written by Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, GNZM QSO Governor-General of New Zealand, and details the Queen’s close links with New Zealand. Inside this collectable pack you’ll find the complete set of stamps, the miniature sheet and the first day cover – making it a comprehensive collectable to keep for yourself or give as a gift.

Source: New Zealand Post

published May 11th, 2013