OLD AND NEW

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 358, 19 May 1928, Page 17

OLD AND NEW

Latest Issue of Silver Coin New silver coinage struck for 1928 by the British Mint reveals distinct changes in design, and it will be conceded that the coins are, on the whole, more artistic, the sixpence being of particularly pleasing pattern. It is not expected that coin of this minting will appear in New Zealand, in common circulation, for some time, as there is already plenty of silver in the country, so that new stocks are unlikely to be called for. The following denominations of coinage are legal tender throughout the Empire: £5 gold piece, £2 gold piece, sovereign, half-sovereign, crown (5/-), double florin (4/-), half-crown, florin, shilling, sixpence, groat (4d), threepence, silver twopence, and silver penny; also 1 penny, half-penny, and farthing, in bronze. The five pound and two pound gold coins, the groat, silver twopence, and silver penny are issued only on special occasions. In Australia, South Africa, and other colonies, specially designed coinage is current. A feature curious to New Zealanders is that in Australia the half-crown is rarely seen. Another curious and little-known fact about coinage is that anyone to whom it is tendered can break, cut, or deface an under-weight gold coin. Gold and notes are legal tender to any amount, but silver is not legal tender above two pounds, nor bronze above one shilling. No one can be compelled to give change.