Silver Coin Set New Zealand 2012 Proof

RAZITKO_POSTOVNE_ZDARMA_NENI

Limited edition New Zealand silver circulation coins

An exclusive set of 5 silver coins issued by New Zealand in 2012. The reverse of the coins depict the face value and designs of New Zealand's circulating coins: 10 Cents (gold plated) - depicting the carved Maori head of Koruru, 20 Cents in the shape of a Spanish flower - depicting the carved Maori statue of Pukaki, 50 Cents - depicting the Endevour sailing from the south to Mount Taranaki, 1 Dollar - depicting the popular Kiwi bird motif, 2 Dollars - depicting the Kotuku (White Heron) bird in flight. The obverse depicts a traditional portrait of Queen Elizabeth II by Ian Rank-Broadley.

The coins come in a deluxe black gift case along with a numbered certificate of authenticity in a mintage of only 1,000 worldwide.

New Zealand

New Zealand (English: New Zealand, Maori: Aotearoa) is a country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean (Pacific Ocean). It consists of two large islands, North and South, and other smaller islands. The nearest neighbouring state is Australia, about 2000 km away.

New Zealand is not part of the Australian continent because it is not on its continental shelf; however, it is part of the submerged continent of Zealandia. Zealandia and, together with Australia, forms the wider Australasia region, which is part of Oceania.

It is not known exactly when the first Maori settled in New Zealand. It may have been during the 9th century AD or even earlier. The first European to discover the islands in 1641 was the Dutch seafarer Abel Janszoon Tasman. The next European visitor, Captain James Cook, did not arrive until 1769.

In 1840, British settlers established the town of Wellington on the North Island and New Zealand, lucrative for the United Kingdom especially for its fertile soil and mild climate, was declared a dependent territory of New South Wales under British protection. This cession of sovereignty, however, could only take place after negotiations with the chiefs of the native Maori, who, largely through missionary efforts, were saved from extinction. In the Treaty of Waitangi of 1840, the Maori, who make up 12% of the population, are guaranteed equal rights, and the treaty is also the basis of New Zealand's national identity. The main credit for New Zealand's strong links with the metropolis goes to Scottish immigrants, who opposed the land-grabbing of small farmers by large landowners in their homeland, but brought prosperity and pride in their new country.

When gold was discovered in the South Island in 1861, the country was hit by a wave of settlers trying to make a fortune. In the 1860s, settlers and Maori squabbled over land and several bitter wars took place, resulting in the Maori losing many of their rights and territories inherited from their ancestors.