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This post is about one of the famous NZ coin - Waitangi crown. NZ patterns aren't reachable for the collectors. This coin is expensive but you can find and buy it at the different auctions.
Firstly the short story about the coin.
This coin was struck to commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi on 6 February 1840.
It depicts Chief Tamati Waka Nene shaking hands with Captain William Hobson, R.N., beneath a crown.
Chief Tamati Waka Nene is described in the Annual Report of the Royal Mint, 1934 as "one of the paramount chiefs of the time, who was largely instrumental in persuading his fellow chiefs to sign the Treaty". He is depicted shaking hands with Captain William Hobson, the Lieutenant- Governor. The Treaty was written shortly before it was signed and translated into Maori on 4th February for consideration by about 500 Maori people. On the 6th. February about 40 chiefs signed the Maori version of the document starting with Hone Heke. Copies of the document were then sent around the country and by September 1840 about 500 more chiefs had signed.
"The Treaty is a broad statement of principles on which the British and Maori made a political compact to found a nation state and build a government in New Zealand. The Treaty has three articles. In the English version, these are that Maori ceded the sovereignty of New Zealand to Britain; Maori gave the Crown an exclusive right to buy lands they wished to sell, and, in return, they were guaranteed full rights of ownership of their lands, forests, fisheries and other possessions; and that Maori would have the rights and privileges of British subjects."
The coin was not issued to mark a particular anniversary of the signing of the Treaty, nor, as is sometimes suggested, was it to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of George V which occurred in 1935.
According to Te Ara, The Encyclopaedia of New Zealand:
"The Waitangi Crown, which was issued in 1935, is not strictly a commemorative coin, but the circumstances of its issue means it functions like one. It was struck after the New Zealand Numismatic Society approached the government to suggest a new coin marking the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand's founding document, in 1840. The coin was designed by New Zealand artist James Berry and adapted by British artist Percy Metcalfe. It shows Ngāpuhi chief Tāmati Waka Nene and the first governor of New Zealand, William Hobson, shaking hands above the legend 'Waitangi'.
Because the issue was limited (1,128 coins were struck) and the government charged more for each coin than their face value, they were purchased as souvenirs and did not circulate."
So there are 660 coins and 468 Proofs.
I have got MS-62 example in my collection
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A few people know that also existed the Crown Pattern.
Here is the description: Similar to currency issue except in a small details such as knees of Maori chief are straight and he has a larger loin cloth. Remick - Co-Ni, Spink - Silver.
The single known example was sold in 1977 at the Spink auction for 11500 AUD! Just imagine more than 10 thousand dollars in 1977 year. It's scary to think how much it could cost now. Since than the coin has't been auctioned.
Spink & Son (Australia), Important Australian and New Zealand Coins, Medals and Banknotes, 27 October 1977. Lot 707. PATTERN WAITANGI CROWN, 1935. Silver, similar to the issued crown except for details in the reverse. The specimen also varies from the other known pattern, particularly noticeable is the smaller lettering in Waitangi in the exergue. Thisbmay be a unique variety; the only other pattern is known to exist in private hands, others exist in the Royal Mint Collection and New Zealand Treasury. This is the first pattern ever offered for public sales. Excessively rare, even grey toning. Sold 11,500 AUD
Here is one more New Zealand Pattern KM-Pn4 struck in Silver. This rare coin was sold for 72000 USD including BP on 26 May, 2021 at Heritage Auctions, Paramount Sale.
Here is a link:
It's important addition. I haven't seen this auction. As I understand It's the same coin which was sold in 1977 year. Another variety has been lost by a post (australian or japanese) thirty years ago.
The story about the second variety told me one australian coin dealer, hi Mark!
I did not know that there were TWO varieties of the Waitangi Crown. I thought they had found back the one lost in the Australian post and that was the the one in the Paramount sales by Heritage in May 2021. But I may be wrong. Unfortunately Heritage does not give any extensive pedrigees here.