A new ten cent coin featuring the image of King Charles III has been officially approved for production, the Reserve Bank of New Zealand announced this week. People in New Zealand can expect to see the coin in their everyday change around the year 2027.
Photos of the coin were shared today after quality checks were completed. The coin is stamped with the year 2024, which is when the RBNZ placed the order with the Royal Canadian Mint. Since New Zealand does not have its own coin-making facility, its coins are made overseas.
The image of King Charles III was designed by British artist Dan Thorne. Following royal tradition, the King’s head faces left, the opposite direction from Queen Elizabeth II, who faced right.
The back of the new ten cent coin still shows the koruru, a carved face from a traditional Māori meeting house. This design by James Berry has been used since New Zealand switched to decimal coins in 1967.
Ian Woolford, RBNZ’s director of money and cash, explained that the coins were tested for size, weight, security, and design before production could begin. He also said that the larger coins – 20 cent, 50 cent, $1, and $2 – will likely begin production with King Charles III’s image around 2027, but might not be used until about two years later.
Even when the new coins are released, coins and $20 notes showing Queen Elizabeth II will still be legal to use. The RBNZ does not plan to throw away or remove older coins just because the new ones are being made.
People won’t need to do anything different when the new coins arrive. The RBNZ will work with banks, shops, and machine operators to make sure everything runs smoothly when both old and new coins are used side by side.
