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

The 1oz silver proof hei matau coin is a stunning piece of Māori history and culture, as well as the world's first coin issue to have pounamu (New Zealand greenstone) set into the design. The rim of the coin is etched with notches, said to be the oldest type of carving recorded.

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99.95 €

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60 items in stock

A cultural treasure
The hei matau depicted on the 2012 Māori Art coin was hand-carved by renowned Rotorua Māori artist, Lewis Gardiner. The piece was especially commissioned for the 60 cent stamp in New Zealand Post’s 2011 Matariki stamp issue, and represents an outstanding example of modern hei matau design.

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. The raised pattern on the coin behind the hei matau is based on a traditional Māori kōwhaiwhai (frieze) pattern called ‘koiri’ (to sway/bend) combined with the traditional whakairo (woodcarving) pattern unaunahi (fish scales).

Koiri suggests the swaying of seaweed and the changeable nature of the wind, while unaunahi suggests the movement of shoals of fish. The combination of designs gives rise to the image of a fishing waka (canoe) traversing the ocean’s waves and currents.

Set to the right of the hei matau is a round cabochon of pounamu. Pounamu is a taonga (treasure) held in high esteem by Māori, and the export of pounamu from New Zealand is restricted. The pounamu cabochon is symbolic of the moon, which governs the rise and fall of the tides in the realm of Tangaroa (god of the sea). The notches on the edge of the coin, some say, are the oldest type of carving recorded. The groups of two notches represent strength and abundance, while the groups of three notches refer to three stages of creation (epochs of time): Te Kore (the nothingness), Te Pō (the darkness) and Te Ao Mārama (the world of light).

For the first time, these New Zealand legal tender coins feature the face value of the coin in both English and Te Reo Māori (the Māori language).

Presented with integrity
This stunning coin is presented within a black and red leatherette ipu (container) – colours that feature strongly in Māori mythology and art. The embossed pattern adorning the lid has been designed by Thomas Hansen. As on the coin, the traditional kōwhaiwhai pattern combines the ‘koiri’ design with a traditional whakairo (woodcarving) pattern called unaunahi.

Pounamu
Pounamu plays a very important role in Maori culture. It is considered a taonga (treasure). Tools, ornaments and weapons were made from it; in particular adzes, mere (short clubs) and hei-tiki (neck pendants). These were believed to have their own mana, were handed down as valued heirlooms and were often given as gifts to seal important agreements.
It is found only in the South Island of New Zealand, known in Maori as Te Wai Pounamu ("The Greenstone Water") or Te Wahi Pounamu ("The Place of Greenstone"), and in 1997 the Crown handed back the ownership of all naturally occurring pounamu to the South Island tribe Ngai Tahu, as part of the Ngai Tahu Claims Settlement.

  • Country
    New Zealand
  • Year
    2012
  • Face Value
    1 Dollar
  • Metal
    Silver
  • Fineness (purity)
    999/1000
  • Weight (g)
    31.1 (1 oz)
  • Diameter (mm)
    38.61
  • Quality
    Proof
  • Mintage (pcs)
    3.000
  • Certificate (COA)
    Yes
  • Presentation case (box)
    Yes
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.