On 10 July 1967 New Zealand currency was officially changed from pounds sterling to decimal currency, otherwise known as ‘DC Day’.

The switch was the result of many years investigation into the benefits of a decimalised system. Prior to 1967 New Zealanders used the same fractional currency system as Britain, known as pounds sterling.

Many designers submitted designs for the new coinage, and public interest in the potential designs was high, prompted by strong media attention. James Berry, an artist with a background in stamps, medals, and coins, was commissioned to design the entire set of new coins. He was subsequently awarded an OBE for his work on the New Zealand currency and his expertise in the field of numismatic design.

Initially the planned decimal currency was to include a one dollar coin, and Berry created many potential designs for this coin. However the plan for a dollar coin was abandoned and a dollar note was introduced instead. The dollar coin wasn’t introduced until 1991, after notes were found to be expensive to produce and required regular replacing due to wear and tear.

These photos are of designs by Berry for the one dollar coin which was never created. Most of them include the words ’10 shillings’ to aid with the transition between sterling and decimal systems. These designs are part of a series known as the ‘Berry Papers’, a collection of papers, photographs, negatives, sketches and notes on the design of the new decimal currency.

Reference:AAOA 6012 1/d archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=22508680

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