HEI MATAU Maori Art Pounamu Greenstone Silver Coin 1$ New Zealand 2012

The significance of the hei matau and its associations with navigation, abundance of seafood, mana and knowledge are reflected in the themes of the coin design. A piece of New Zealand greenstone is set into the coin (symbolic of the moon, which governs the rise and fall of the tides in the realm of Tangaroa – gold of the sea). Pounamu is a taonga (treasure) held in high esteem by Maori, and the export of pounamu from New Zealand is restricted. Housed in a black and red leatherette box. The lid is embossed with the traditional kowhaiwhai design seen on the coin. New Zealand legal tender - first time to have face value in Te Reo Maori (the Maori language) and English.