From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia History of Chatham Islands numismatics
History of Chatham Islands numismatics
ferent hologram from the currency issue. The hologram
The history of Chatham Islands numismatics begins in is a very good security device, as it prevents forgery. The
1999, when the Reserve Bank of New Zealand authorized designs of the notes have a very strong influence from
a private organization, the Chatham Islands Note Corpo- American currency. They are dual-denominated—in
ration, to issue banknotes to celebrate that the Chatham cents as well as in Dollars. There are three printings of
Islands would have been the first land to enter the third this series.
millennium (although this is not actually true - this ho- The Series II notes were printed some time during the
nour belongs to Antarctica. The first island to enter the year 2000 for release in 2001. They are printed on a cot-
third millennium would be Millennium Island). ton-fibre paper by Chan Wanich Security Printing Com-
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand gave this autho- pany Limited, Thailand. The front of these notes is very
rization under the condition that such notes cannot be similar to the Series I notes, apart from the dates and
declared legal tender. In other words, these notes were a few other details. Again, these notes are dual-denomi-
to be used for payment, but only if the seller accepted nated in Cents and Dollars. There are also three printin-
them: there was no obligation for anyone to accept the gs of this series. There were also some same-serial num-
notes issued by the Chatham Islands, contrarily to the bered sets produced, but these were not issued in card-
notes issued by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. These board folders. These have the same hologram as the cur-
Chatham Islands notes were generally accepted by mer- rency issue.
chants on the Chatham Islands. In 2001, a $5 coin was put into circulation at the same
The Chatham Islands Note Corporation was initially time as the Series II notes. A 5,000 piece issue was
based in Christchurch, in the South Island of New planned. Informed of the intention to issue a coin, the
Zealand. The agent for providing the notes to the nu- Reserve Bank of New Zealand banned the issue (despite
mismatic trade was Leon Morel, FRNSNZ of Melbourne, the fact that there is no $5 coin in circulation in New
Victoria (Australia). The Chatham Islands Note Corpora- Zealand!). The website of the Chatham Islands Note Cor-
tion later shifted their base of operations to Waitangi, poration was also closed down at the same time. Howev-
Chatham Islands. er, an estimated 200 pieces ended up in the numismatic
The Chatham Islands dollar (Ch.I.$) was pegged at the trade. There are 2 possible scenarios as to why only
same rate as the New Zealand dollar. around 200 of the Chatham Islands $5 coins are known to
exist:
"Negotiable" tender 1. It is possible that the 5,000 pieces were struck ready
to be issued and the coins were confiscated. As a
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand clarified that Chatham result, around 200 coins ’fell to the floor’, as the
Islands dollars are not legal tender [1]. In particular, Re- expression goes, and ended up in the numismatic
serve Bank Deputy Governor Murray Sherwin said: trade.
These so-called Chatham Island dollars are 2. It is also possible that the 200 known pieces had been
harmless as a promotional gimmick and as a bit of struck and issued to the numismatic trade (or to
fun. Also, if people want to use them to undertake Leon Morel) prior to the ban.
transactions, that’s fine too, just as one can pay for The Series I of notes consisted of the following denomi-
a service with monopoly play money, sea shells, or nations: $2 (200c), $3 (300c), $10 (1,000c) and $15 (1,500c).
bottles of beer, if the seller is happy to receive The Series II of notes consisted of the following de-
them. nominations: $3 (300c), $5 (500c), $8 (800c), $10 (1,000c)
and $15 (1,500c). The Chatham Islands in the only place
The series in the entire Commonwealth of Nations that has put an
$8 note into circulation as currency.
The Series I notes were printed in late 1999 in time for To assist collectors and dealers a catalogue number-
release on January 1, 2000. They are printed on Tyvek (a ing system has been provided. Below ’Work’ numbers (in-
plastic-type material that is used in the construction in- dicated by the letter ’W’) to the items have been assigned
dustry). They were printed by Timely Marketing & Pro- for clarity.
motions Limited, Christchurch and Dunedin, New
Zealand. There were same-numbered sets produced that
came in cardboard folders. These bear a completely dif-
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia History of Chatham Islands numismatics
Series I • Back: Nikau palm, Chathams’ horse power and
Chatham Islands Black Robin.
The notes of the Series I were issued as negotiable tender
• Theme: The Land.
for the year 2000, and made of tyvek.
W4b. Same-serial numbered folder issue.
The date ’2000’ is in the 4 corners. The notes have the
• As above currency issue.
map of the Chatham Islands at left of the under-print and
(Note: The links to the photos show pictures of W1b to
Chatham Islands Taiko at right. Green frame on the backs
W4b).
of the notes. Printer’s name at the bottom on the backs of
the notes. A hologram depicts a globe showing the Asia-
Pacific region with ’1st’ superimposed, an inner circle
Series II
with the words ’WORLD FIRST’ and ’AUTHENTIC’ (which The notes of the Series II were issued as negotiable ten-
can be seen depending on the direction in which a note is der for the years 2001 and 2002.
tilted), and an outer circle, which has a rainbow pattern They are made of cotton fibre paper. The date 2001 is
going around like a flywheel. The notes of the same-seri- in three corners. The notes have an albatross replacing
al numbered folder issue has ’1st’ printed in white on top the map of the Chatham Islands at left of the under-
of the hologram, which has an interlocking pattern con- print. Chatham Islands Taiko at right. Olive-green-black
sisting of the year 2000. frames on the backs of the notes. The currency notes and
the ones in the same-numbered sets have computer style
$2: The Sea numbering in the serial numbers whereas the replace-
ment notes have block numbers in the serial numbers.
Front Rear
The hologram of the notes depicts a compass with a wavy
W1a. Two dollars (200 cents). pattern in the outer silver area. The map of the Chatham
• Front: Purple and grey-blue under-print. Islands and the Chatham Islands Note Corporation is seen
• Back: Lobster, the sea and Chatham Islands Black when a note is tilted in one direction and a rock lobster
Robin. can be seen when the note is tilted in the other direction.
• Theme: The Sea. The printer name is at the bottom on the backs of the
W1b. Same-serial numbered folder issue. notes.
• As above currency issue.
$3: Horse Racing
$3: The Community W5a. Three dollars (300 cents).
Front Rear • Front: Pink and yellow under-print.
• Back: Horse racing, Chatham Islands Jockey Club
W2a. Three dollars (300 cents).
(1873), Woytek’s Fool.
• Front: As above, but purple and red-pink under-
• Theme: Horse Racing.
print.
W5b. Same-serial numbered issue.
• Back: First motor vehicle, the community and
• As above currency issue.
Chatham Islands Black Robin.
W5p. As above currency issue, but has the serial number
• Theme: The Community.
’A000000’. (Printer’s Specimen).
W2b. Same-serial numbered folder issue.
W5r. As above currency issue, but the serial number
• As above currency issue.
has a star at the end of it. (Replacement note).
$10: The History
$5: The Ancestors
Front Rear W6a. Five dollars (500 cents).
W3a. Ten dollars (1,000 cents). • Front: As above, but green and yellow under-print.
• Front: As above, but green and yellow-brown under- • Back: Morioris, Woytek’s Generations.
print. • Theme: The Ancestors.
• Back: The history and Chatham Islands Black Robin. W6b. Same-serial numbered issue.
• Theme: The History. • As above currency issue.
W3b. Same-serial numbered folder issue. W6p. As above currency issue, but has the serial number
• As above currency issue. ’A000000’. (Printer’s Specimen).
W6r. As above currency issue, but the serial number
$15: The Land has a star at the end of it. (Replacement note).
Front Rear
$8: Center - The Message
W4a. Fifteen dollars (1,500 cents). W7a. Eight dollars (800 cents).
• Front: As above, but green and brown under-print. • Front: As above, but lilac and blue under-print.
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia History of Chatham Islands numismatics
• Back: A new dawn with the Spring symphony and Signature Chart
guardians of Mt Hakepa, Pitt Island. Map of the
• Director of the Corporation / Secretary of the
Chatham Islands.
Treasury.
• Theme: Center - The Message.
• Series I. Clint MacInnes. John Day.
W7b. Same-serial numbered issue.
• Series II. Indecipherable. J. Day.
• As above currency issue.
Error notes are not listed, even though these do exist, nor
W7p. As above currency issue, but has the serial number
have the Postal Notes and Postal Orders that were issued
’A000000’. (Printer’s Specimen).
in the Chatham Islands.
W7r. As above, but the serial number has a star at the
end of it. (Replacement note).
WCI. Brass $5 Coin 1-1/4 inches (30 mm)
$10: Wrestler in diameter
Front Rear • Obverse: A crude head-and-shoulders portrait of
Tommy Solomon (born 1884, died 1933. Popularly
W8a. Ten dollars (1,000 cents).
believed to have been the last full-blooded Moriori)
• Front: As above, but lilac-blue and green-yellow
splitting the date ’2001’. The inscription,’FIVE NEW
under-print.
MILLENNIUM DOLLARS’ is below the portrait.
• Back: Abe Jacobs World Champion Wrestler,
• Reverse: Map of the Chatham Islands with ’$5’ below.
Woytek’s Warrior.
It is inscribed, ’CHATHAM ISLANDS NEW ZEALAND
• Theme: Wrestler.
TERRITORIES SOUTH PACIFIC’.
W8b. Same-serial numbered issue.
• As above currency issue.
W8p. As above currency issue, but has the serial number
WCII. Silver $50 Coin 1.5 inches (38 mm)
’A000000’. (Printer’s Specimen). in diameter
W8r. As above currency issue, but the serial number • Obverse: A crude portrait of King George III (ruled
has a star at the end of it. (Replacement note). 1760–1820) based on Benedetto Pistrucci’s portrait as
used on the British 1/2 Crown of 1817–20, the
$15: Flying Boat 5-shilling (1 Crown) of 1818–20, 1/2 Sovereign of
W9a. Fifteen dollars (1,500 cents). 1817–20, the Sovereign of 1818 and 1820, the 2
• Front: As above, but blue, pink and yellow under- pounds and 5 pounds pattern coins of 1820. The
print. monogram ’G III’ is split at the forehead level. The
• Back: Short Sunderland, Woytek’s Astronomer. inscription, ’CHATHAM ISLANDS’ is above the King’s
• Theme: Flying Boat. portrait. The dates ’1760–1820’ are inscribed below
W9b. Same-serial numbered issue. the chin. The date ’2001’ appears below the
• As above currency issue. truncation. The inscription, ’FIFTY DOLLAR
W9p. As above currency issue, but has the serial number MILLENNIUM SILVER PIECE’ goes from behind the
’A000000’. (Printer’s Specimen). King’s portrait around to the front at eye level.
W9r. As above currency issue, but the serial number • Reverse: The design is a compass pointing North, a
has a star at the end of it. (Replacement note). ship, and an 18th Century Royal Navy officer’s hat
with the number ’50’ superimposed on the hat. The
Collector Series outer inscriptions are ’LIEUT BROUGHTON. BRIG
• WCSI. Series I Same-serial numbered folder issue CHATHAM 1791’. The inner inscription is
(W1b - W4b). ’DISCOVERY OF THE CHATHAM ISLANDS 44 DEG S
• WCSII. Series II Same-serial numbered issue (W5b - LAT 176 DEG 20 MIN W LONG’. The inscription ’FIFTY
W9b). DOLLAR PIECE’ appears below the ’50’.
• The $50 coin is a dual commemorative: The
Uncut Sheets Millennium and the 210th Anniversary of the British
discovery of the Chatham Islands.
These were only issued for Series II (W5 - W9). These have
• Both the $5 and the $50 coins have milled edges.
a four digit serial number range from S0001 to S1000.
The Reserve Bank of New Zealand banned the issue of the
• WUSI. 4x$3.
coin in 2001. There are not more than 25 pieces of the $50
• WUSII. 3x$5.
coin known to exist.[citation needed]
• WUSIII. 3x$8.
• WUSIV. 2x$10.
• WUSV. 2x$15. External links
• Chatham Islands "dollars" not legal tender
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia History of Chatham Islands numismatics
• Chatham Islands dollars photos • A list of notes, with higher-resolution photos of
Chatham Islands dollar
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/in-
dex.php?title=History_of_Chatham_Islands_numismatics&oldid=473723027"
Categories:
• Numismatics
• Chatham Islands
• Community currencies
• Currencies of New Zealand
• Modern obsolete currencies
• Dollar
• History of the New Zealand outlying islands
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