The commemorations for the centenary of the First World War continue to pick up pace and the New Zealand Post is the latest coin issuer to announce their plans and the first releases under it. Unlike the New Zealand Mint whose coins carry Niue as the issuing state, the New Zealand Post is the official issuer of coins for New Zealand itself. They don’t actually strike any coins themselves, usually having them done by the Royal Dutch Mint, BH Mayer or in this case, by the Royal Australian Mint.

Part of a new five-year series of commemorative coins depicting the events and stories of the Great War, this first wave of three coins is available for pre-order now but not shipping until August. The one gold and two silver coins all carry completely different artwork, one of the silvers being coloured.

1914 For King and Empire

This ¼ oz gold proof coin portrays the beginning of New Zealand’s involvement overseas during the First World War, and shows the difficulty of families being separated by war.

Reverse shows a husband and wife in the foreground, as he is off on the great adventure to fight for King and Empire while his wife sadly, but proudly, sees him off. In the background the soldiers stand in front of the pyramids and the Sphinx of Egypt, which is where the first troops of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force had arrived for training. Palm fronds border the image, representing New Zealand’s first task in the war – capturing Samoa from the Germans.

Obverse: Depicts the inscriptions ‘NEW ZEALAND’, ‘ELIZABETH II’ and the date, ’2014′ around the Ian Rank Broadley profile portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.

1914 The announcement of war

1914 The mounted rifes brigade

This highly collectable continuity set highlights New Zealand’s involvement in the war from beginning to end, and comes with a premium pressed metal tin to store all five coins, styled after the tins the soldiers would receive after enlisting.

Reverse: The first coin depicts the Mounted Rifles Brigade, a major element of New Zealand’s effort in the First World War. The horses offered superior mobility and allowed soldiers to move quickly over short distances. The Mounted Rifles Brigade trained with their horses in New Zealand before making the long journey to Egypt via ship in 1914. These men served largely in the Middle Eastern theatre, particularly Sinai and Palestine, forming strong bonds with their horses, which is portrayed on this 1oz silver proof coin.

Obverse: Depicts the inscriptions ‘NEW ZEALAND’, ‘ELIZABETH II’ and the date, ’2014′ around the Ian Rank Broadley profile portrait of Queen Elizabeth II.