New Zealand: Oldest lighthouse, Tiritiri Matangi, is featured on a new silver crown coin

The Reserve Bank of New Zealand has issued new silver crown coins which feature one of the country’s oldest and still functioning lighthouses, the Tiritiri Matangi lighthouse. Also known as Tiritiri lighthouse, it is located on the island of the same name in Hauraki Gulf 28 kilometres (17 miles) north of Auckland in the North Island of New Zealand. It is owned and operated by Maritime New Zealand and is considered the best-preserved lighthouse complex in the country and the oldest lighthouse in New Zealand still in operation. The Tiritiri Matangi lighthouse was once the most powerful lighthouse in the Southern Hemisphere and is today one of the country’s premier tourist attractions. The range of view of the Tiritiri Matangi is an impressive 18 nautical miles (33 kilometres).

Constructed in 1864 from cast iron, the light was first lit on the 1st January 1865, and was first automated in 1925 and used an acetylene burning revolving light. The height of the Lighthouse stands at 20 metres (65 feet) and is built on a cliff that is 91 metres (299 feet) above the shore. Keepers returned to the lighthouse in 1947, which remained manned until 1984 when the light became fully automated, being powered by solar electricity. The light’s last keeper remained on the island until his retirement in 2006.

The coins are produced by the Royal Dutch Mint at their facilities in Utrecht, Netherlands, on behalf of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, and are designed by Hannah Fortune. The reverse side shows the lighthouse guiding a sailboat towards Auckland Harbour. Its light beam integrates an ultra violet ink application, visible only under black light. The ocean background is made from original koru-like motifs to connect the coin distinctly to New Zealand, and symbolise the churning sea.

The obverse includes an effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II created by Ian Rank-Broadley and has been seen on all New Zealand circulation and many commemorative coins since 1999.  

Denom.	Metal	Weight	Diameter	Quality	Maximum Mintage
One dollar	.999 Silver	31.1 g	40  mm	Proof with applied colour	1,500 Pieces

The coin is encapsulated and housed in a custom presentation case and is accompanied by a numbered certificate of authenticity. As part of the motif on the reverse, the blue light beam is made of ultraviolet ink that glows under a black light. Together, with the specially designed presentation case that includes a UV light embedded in the lid of the coin box, the light beam shines brightly over its harbour setting and illuminates a yacht from the nearby city of sails, Auckland. For additional information about this coin and others issued by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, please visit the website of the New Zealand Post.

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