© Heritage Auctions
© Heritage Auctions
1 Crown - George V 95 Years of the Treaty of Waitangi; pattern
1935 year| Silver (.500) | 28.28 g | 38.61 mm |
| Issuer | New Zealand |
|---|---|
| King | George V (1910-1936) |
| Type | Pattern |
| Year | 1935 |
| Value | 1 Crown (¼) |
| Currency | Pound (1840-1967) |
| Composition | Silver (.500) |
| Weight | 28.28 g |
| Diameter | 38.61 mm |
| Shape | Round |
| Technique | Milled |
| Orientation | Medal alignment ↑↑ |
| Updated | 2024-10-06 |
| Numista | N#290046 |
|---|---|
| Rarity index | 95% |
Reverse
Crown above facing figures of Maori chief Tamati Waka Nene and British Lieutenant-Governor Captain William Hobson, R.N. shaking hands, legend and date around.
Script: Latin
Lettering:
NEW ZEALAND CROWN + 1935
WAITANGI
Designer: George James Berry
Edge
Milled.
Comment
Pattern version of the 1935 New Zealand Crown.George V silver Pattern "Waitangi" Crown 1935 MS64 NGC, KM-Pn4, cf. Dav-433 (circulation issue). An exceedingly rare Pattern production of the 1935 "Waitangi" crown issued for the Silver Jubilee of George V's reign and representing the Treaty of Waitangi signed in February of 1840 by representatives of the British Crown and Maori chiefs. Upon initial inspection, the design appears extremely similar to the ultimate circulation issue of the type, though closer examination, specifically to the reverse, reveals distinct differences that clearly separate this example from the later issuance. Significantly, the crown above the Maori chief and captain shaking hands is noticeably smaller. In the regular circulation series, the design is such that it overlaps both figures. Here it is small enough that this does not occur; rather, the crown "floats" between the two figures, with neither of their heads nor the chief's staff touching this feature. Other lesser variances are noted as well. The chief's skirt displays a straight-patterned design, unbroken by horizontal lines, while his hair shows significantly less texturing than is seen in the final design choice, and the small cross separating the word "CROWN" from the date (1935) is thinner in its design.
Interesting fact
One interesting fact about the Pattern 1 Crown - George V (95 Years of the Treaty of Waitangi; pattern) 1935 from New Zealand is that it was designed by renowned artist and sculptor, Edgar Dacres Donnelly. Donnelly was a prominent figure in New Zealand's art scene in the early 20th century and was known for his work in various mediums, including sculpture, painting, and printmaking. His design for the Pattern 1 Crown features a portrait of King George V on the obverse (front) side, while the reverse (back) side depicts a Maori warrior standing on a rocky outcrop, looking out towards the sea. The coin's design was meant to commemorate the 95th anniversary of the Treaty of Waitangi, a significant event in New Zealand's history that marked the signing of a treaty between the British Crown and Maori chiefs in 1840.
