New Zealand Ten Cents

The 1967 New Zealand ten-cent coin was the first in the country's currency to feature a Maori koruru—a stylized carved head—on its reverse, blending indigenous art with modern coinage.

That design, by George James Bruce, reflected New Zealand's effort to assert its cultural identity after years of British influence. Struck in cupro-nickel at the Royal Mint in London, it entered circulation as part of the decimal switchover on July 10, 1967. Exact mintage figures are murky; records from that era aren't always reliable.

For a coin meant for pocket change, it held up well against wear, though most examples you'll find are well-circulated. Some say the koruru looks a bit stern, as if disapproving of inflation.