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50 Cents - Elizabeth II 4th Portrait, Sam
| Issuer | Reserve Bank of New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Year | 2003 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | Log in to see details |
| Currency | Log in to see details |
| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | Log in to see details |
| Diameter | Log in to see details |
| Thickness | 2.2 mm |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
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| Obverse lettering | Log in to see details |
| Reverse description | Left-facing portrait bust of Sam, the hobbit character from J.R.R. Tolkien's 'The Lord of the Rings', rendered in bold relief occupying the left portion of the field, with stylised foliage motif extending to the right. The denomination '50c' appears prominently in the lower central field, enclosed within a decorative cartouche. A small copyright mark is visible to the lower right of the design. |
| Reverse script | Log in to see details |
| Reverse lettering | 50c |
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| Additional information |
New Zealand's 2003 50-cent piece was among the last of the country's pre-reform circulating coinage before the 2006 redesign that eliminated the 50-cent piece in copper-nickel entirely, replacing it with a smaller, lighter version. The "Samoan Sam" nickname attached to this type reflects a persistent urban legend — never substantiated — that the coins were struck in excess and offloaded into Pacific Island circulation to manage overstock.