New Zealand Coins Silver Fineness Guide
Circulating Pre-Decimal Silver Coinage (1933–1946)
From 1933 until the end of 1946, circulating silver coins—including the Threepence, Sixpence, Shilling, Florin, and Half-Crown—were struck with a fineness of .500 silver. This purity level was chosen in line with the standards set for contemporary British coinage at the time. However, due to the high global price of silver and the desire to curb illegal melting for bullion, the silver content was fully eliminated in 1947, making all subsequent circulating pre-decimal coins from 1947 onward non-silver cupronickel.
Shop New Zealand Silver Coinage
Commemorative Coinage
Post-1946, New Zealand's base-metal coinage contained no silver. However, silver was reserved for special commemorative Crown issues (1949 Royal Visit Crown) and the later proof/collector coins, with fineness increasing over time.
Sterling Silver Commemorative Coins (Post-1967 Proofs)
Silver Fineness: .925 fine silver (Sterling Silver). This is common for many proof and non-circulating commemorative coins issued by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand or NZ Post, especially in the 1970s through the early 2000s. Thee include numerous Wildlife/Native Bird dollars (such as the Kakapo and Black Robin), and various Royal Visit and City themed issues.
Fine Silver Collector/Bullion Issues (Modern Era)
Silver Fineness: .999 fine silver (or occasionally .9999 fine silver). This is the prevailing standard for modern bullion coins and most recent, high-end collector commemoratives.
Examples of this are NZ Post collectables such as the 2020 WWII 75 Years Peace 1oz Silver Proof Coin.
Coin Silver Fineness and Metal Purity
| Fineness | Purity | |
| .999 | 99.9% Pure | This is the highest commercial purity available. It's used for modern silver bullion coins and bars around the world, including contemporary collectible coins and proofs minted by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand and New Zealand Post. |
| .925 | 92.5% Pure | This widely recognized standard (92.5% silver and 7.5% copper) is favored for jewelry and decorative items due to its hardness and durability. It has a long history in British coinage, and is used in various silver proof and commemorative silver coins. |
| .900 | 90.0% Pure | Historically used for circulating silver coinage in many countries (like the US before 1965). The 10% copper content makes it durable for everyday use, but this fineness was not used for New Zealand's circulating coins or commemoratives. |
| .800 - .500 | 80% - 50% Pure | In the 20th century, many countries reduced the silver content of their circulating coins to these lower purities. All New Zealand silver coinage issued between 1933 and 1946 was minted at .500 fineness (50% silver, 50% base metal), a common standard across the British Commonwealth during that period. |
| Billon | 40% or Less Pure | This term refers to any alloy, usually with 40% or less silver, often with a large amount of copper. The silver content is minimal, and these alloys were typically used when silver prices were high or a country faced economic constraints. |
