What is a New Zealand Halfpenny?

Answer 1

A New Zealand Halfpenny was a coin of copper appearance which was last minted in 1965.

From 1940 to 1965, their composition was 97% copper, 2.5% zinc and 0.5% tin. They had a plain edge, weighed 5.65 grams and were 25.3 mm in diameter.

All New Zealand coins have the reigning Monarch on the obverse.

From 1940 to 1965, the reverse of the Halfpenny had a Maori Hei-tiki with Maori ornamental scrolls on each side and the words "NEW ZEALAND HALF PENNY" around the circumference at the top, and the year around the circumference at the bottom.

They were progressively withdrawn from circulation after the introduction of Decimal Currency on the 10th of July, 1967.

In modern currency, a Halfpenny was the equivalent of 0.416 cents, but there was no equivalent decimal coin.

There were no Halfpennies issued in 1943 and 1948.

From a coin collectors perspective, New Zealand Halfpennies, depending on year and condition, can be worth anything from $1 to $450 NZD.

A complete set of New Zealand Halfpennies in average condition might fetch up to $35 NZD.

Please note that since the Halfpenny is part of a redundant or obsolete currency, it no longer has an "exchange rate" with other currencies.