New Zealand. Extinct and Legendary Haast’s Eagle Features on Annual Silver Proof Coins.

Before the arrival of humans around the 13th century, New Zealand was once a land of birds. With the exception of bats, which are the country’s only native terrestrial mammals, there were no others. However, flying creatures living on the two islands were in abundance as there were few ground-dwelling predators. Many birds such as the iconic kiwi evolved to be flightless, and avian predators and prey of unimaginable proportions roamed the two primary islands which make up present-day New Zealand.

The Haast’s eagle was the largest, most powerful species of its kind ever to have existed with an impressive 2 - 3 metres or, 6 - 10 feet wingspan and weighed up to 17.8 kilograms or, 38 pounds. Its talons could be as long as a modern-day tiger’s claws and this formidable predator’s main source of prey was South Island moa, but it is also believed to have eaten kererū, ducks, swans, geese and smaller raptors. It is thought that the Haast’s eagle would perch in the forest waiting for suitable prey to appear before swooping down with incredible force.

Bones of the Haast’s eagle (Harpagornis moorei, pouākai) were first discovered in 1871 and first described by Dr Julius von Haast of Canterbury Museum – and who the extinct species is named after in tribute. Although bones have been found at dozens of sites in the South Island, only three complete skeletons have been found. There is evidence through prehistoric rock drawings that the eagles cohabitated with humans, who they were capable of killing. Soon after Māori first arrived in present-day New Zealand, their reliance on food sources such as moa, New Zealand goose, New Zealand swan and large raptors may have directly caused the Haast’s eagle’s extinction which is believed to have become extinct around the 15th century. There is also evidence of them being killed by humans, as weapons have been found with their bones. Māori oral tradition recalls huge birds called pouakai and hokioi that may have been Haast’s eagles.

Both the one and two ounce silver proof coins are produced the BH Mayer’s Mint at their facilities in Munich s on behalf of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. Designed by Dave Burke in Tauranga, New Zealand, the reverse side depicts both a close-up of the Haast’s eagle in the background, and the impressive bird swooping down to catch its prey in the foreground. The landscape illustration depicts Canterbury, halfway down the South Island, on the eastern side where remains of Haast’s eagles have been found. Below the primary design and along the lower rim is the text POUĀKAI HAAST’S EAGLE along with the denomination TWO DOLLARS or ONE DOLLAR.

The Two Dollar coin is struck with a black rhodium tint and includes gold plating applied to the surface of the eagle in the background along with a zirconia gem inserted in the eye. The One Dollar coin includes selective vivid colour applied to the design’s background and rose gold is applied to the eagle.

The obverse side includes an effigy of HM King Charles III created by engraver Dan Thorne along with the legend CHARLES III · 2025 · NEW ZEALAND. Below the King’s likeness is the coin’s specifications .999 Ag 2 oz or 1 oz. Gold plating applied to the surface of the effigy on the two ounce version.

The 2025 one ounce *one Dollar proof coin is available only as part of the annual proof set which includes all five currently circulating denominations from $2 to ten cents. Each coin is encapsulated and presented in a custom case accompanied with a certificate of authenticity. The two-ounce double crown coin is available as a separate purchase which is encapsulated and presented in a custom case accompanied with a certificate of authenticity. For additional information, please visit the e-webshop of New Zealand Post – official distributors.