Released as a special collection in March 2009, the coins celebrate a fascinating aspect of New Zealand’s natural heritage – five gargantuan animals unique to a landscape formed more than 80 million years ago.
Striding the land, dominating the skies and roaming the deepest seas, these enormous beings found refuge in an environment that remained untouched by people until Polynesians arrived less than 800 years ago. Some were doomed to extinction, while others have survived and are even making a comeback, reminding us all of the power of evolution among creatures large and small.
Issue Information
Please note: we reserve the right to issue up to two of these coins as individual coins. The only way to obtain all five coins will be through the purchase of this set.
Availability Definitions
Coming Soon: Coins are not yet released.
Unavailable: Current stocks at the Collectables and Solutions Centre are all allocated, but if the worldwide mintage limit has not been reached, we may still mint up to this number at a later date. Coins may also become available again from time-to-time.
Sold Out: No coins are available and the mintage limit has been reached or minting has closed. All orders have been filled and PostShops no longer stock this issue.
Sold Out*: As above. However, a small quantity is still available through selected PostShops only.
Mintage Definitions
Worldwide mintage limit: Maximum number of coins that may be produced for global sales.
New Zealand mintage limit: Total number of coins reserved for the New Zealand market.
Mintage to date: Number of coins minted to date. More may still be minted, up to the stated worldwide mintage limit.
Mintage closed: No further coins will be minted. Either the authorised maximum has been reached, or the decision has been made that no further coins will be produced.
Coin Definitions
Proof: Highest quality available. These coins are struck (usually twice) on polished blanks using specially prepared dies. Finishes may be mirror-like, matt or frosted with a mirror-like background.
Specimen quality bullion: Usually applies to silver coins, also referred to as “semi-proof”.
Brilliant uncirculated (BU): Uncirculated coin with natural mirror-like surfaces and no bag marks. BU coins are made available to collectors in sets or as individual items.
Uncirculated: These coins have not yet been directly handled or circulated, but may contain minor “bag marks” caused by the mass-production process.
Non-Circulating Legal Tender (NCLT): BU, semi-proof or proof commemorative coins that are legal tender New Zealand currency but are not normally expected to circulate.