Today I am sharing another coin awaiting a mylar holder and placement into my world coins album. This, as the title states, is a 1939 New Zealand 3 Pence. It contains 50% silver, weighs only 1.4 grams, minted in London, and has a plain edge to it.
One thing I like about collecting foreign coins is that I am always learning something when I research the designs. Usually it is about the person who's portrait is on the obverse of the coins. However in this case I learned more about the people who are represented on the reverse of the coin.
The obverse above displays a portrait of King George the VI of Great Britian, with legend around the edge ensuring everyone knows who is in charge of their emprire. I decided to not research much into him, as I understood him to be Queen Elizabeth's father and that was enough for me.
What I was interested in was what was on the reverse.
The reverse displays two carved Patu, which I found out to be short handled clubs used by the Maori people of New Zealand. They are the native people of New Zealand.
The maori people are decended from Eastern Polynesian peoples. They used the Patu were clubs used in battle and for other purposes, like breaking up roots and softening flax.
There were different types of Patu as well. Some where made from wood, some from different stone like volcanic or greenstone. Then some would be made from bone like that of a whales jawbone. Later some would even be made with iron.
If you get a chance, look up the Maori Haka dance on Youtube. It is very interesting.
If you have any further information about this coin you would like to add, like historical information I left out or want to correct any I may have gotten wrong, please drop it in the comments.
Thanks for reading,
Joe
Notes:
-All content is mine unless otherwise annotated.
-Images are my own unless otherwise noted.
-Photos edited using MS Paint or iPhone SE.
-Page Dividers from The Terminal Discord.
I recall that Captain Cook didn't get off on a good start the Maori when he totally misunderstood their behavior at the first contact with these warriors.
Thank you for bringing this piece of Māori history up because now I have a rabbit hole to go down tonight if I can’t sleep😀.
Here is what I found:
Source
Interesting! I was about to say that they make quite a scary impression while doing that dance so I can totally see why someone unknown to the tribe and their ceremonies would freak out and feel under attack.
Sad story though..
I heard about the dance before as someone (non-tribe) had learned it from the Maori directly and was trying to teach it to others for a tv show. Surely didn't look this impressive!
!PIMP
Yes, very intimidating indeed.
I had seen it before too, but never knew what it was called or the people. I think I saw a rugby team do it before a game or something. There is a video of a rugby team on Youtube doing it and it seems famaliar.
Yeah but these faces they make, can't blame people from thinking they're out to murder them. But I bet they are continuing this ceremony and won't be interupted by what's happening around them... sad that this happened, I'm intrigued and will read about that tomorrow if I find time..
Hope you had a good week so far @coinjoe !
It has been a boring week, but not a bad one. HOpe you have a good one too.
It must be incredibly satisfying to uncover these stories behind the designs on the coins.
!BBH
!LADYThat's truly fascinating, @coinjoe! Collecting foreign coins can indeed be a gateway to learning about different cultures and histories. The Patu sounds like an intriguing and important artifact in Maori culture. I also know that the patu isn’t just a weapon but also a symbol of rank and mana or authority in Maori society. The craftsmanship and materials used— such as greenstone, whalebone, and later iron—reflect both the available resources and the skills of Maori artisans.
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Yes, I enjoy the learning part. What really makes it special is sharing with the SGS community and allowing others to share what they know, like you and Kerris. I can see the Patu craftsmaship being a symbol of their stature, just like the design of a sword was for some Europeans and other cultures.
That is very interesting! How cool that this piece of their history and culture has been captured in a coin like that. Is this something you picked up while you were in the service or did you find it after the fact?
Found it after the fact. I get most of my world coins from a dealer in NY via mail.
But George VI was also an interesting ruler. He came to the throne after his older brother was forced to abdicate after marrying a divorced woman. George VI would stutter and no one believed he would be a good monarch. But they were all wrong. He was the one who boosted Britain's morale in the fight against German Nazism during World War II.
!HUG
Yeah, I guess there is a little more to him. Thanks for sharing that little tidbit and covering for my laziness. I was just so taken in by the Maori that I am still watching videos of their Haka and reading about them.
Nice coin! I didn't know that about their history, it's nice that they preserved it on their coinage. I have so few New Zealand coins, I just don't run across them very much. Nice!
!BBH
I don't have many either and I think this may be my first 3 pence.
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Thanks