1975 New Zealand 1 Dollar Banknote – P‑163c
A Classic Early Decimal Note Featuring Queen Elizabeth II & the Fantail
The 1975 New Zealand 1 Dollar banknote (Pick 163c) is part of the country’s Second Decimal Series, issued between 1975 and 1977. This series continued the original 1967 decimal designs but introduced updated signatures and refined printing quality. The P‑163c variety is one of the most collected types from this era, combining royal portraiture with native wildlife in a distinctly New Zealand style.
Listings for this note appear widely across collector markets, with examples in VF to UNC regularly offered.
Key Features & Catalogue Details
Country: New Zealand
Issuer: Reserve Bank of New Zealand
Denomination: 1 Dollar
Years of Issue: ND 1975–1977
Pick Number: P‑163c
Printer: Thomas De La Rue & Co.
Material: Paper, intaglio + multicolour lithographic underprint
Dimensions: Approx. 140 × 70 mm
Watermark: Captain James Cook
Signature Variety: R. L. Knight (Chief Cashier) – defining feature of the “c” subtype
Theme: Royal portraiture + native wildlife
This subtype is confirmed in multiple listings as the 1975–77 issue with Knight’s signature.
Design Overview
Obverse – Queen Elizabeth II
Features the youthful portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, wearing the Queen Alexandra Kokoshnik tiara.
Printed in brown with a multicolour underprint.
Central denomination panel and Reserve Bank text in clean, formal typography.
A classic design carried over from the first decimal series.
Reverse – Fantail (Pīwakawaka) & Clematis
Depicts the New Zealand fantail, a lively native bird known for its distinctive fanned tail.
Accompanied by Clematis paniculata, a native flowering vine.
The natural history theme became a hallmark of New Zealand’s early decimal notes.
Watermark
Captain James Cook, visible when held to the light — a long‑standing watermark used across several denominations.
Historical Context
The P‑163 series was introduced after the success of New Zealand’s 1967 decimalisation. By 1975, updated signatures and minor technical refinements created new catalogue subtypes, including P‑163c.
This note circulated widely throughout the mid‑1970s and remains one of the most recognisable early decimal designs. It was eventually replaced by the redesigned Fourth Series in 1981 and later withdrawn entirely when the $1 coin was introduced in 1991.
Why Collect the P‑163c Note?
Early Decimal Era: A key type from New Zealand’s first decade of decimal currency.
Strong Catalogue Identity: Clearly referenced as Pick 163c.
Attractive Design: Combines a royal portrait with native wildlife.
Affordable & Popular: Common enough for beginners, desirable enough for advanced collectors.
Consistent Market Demand: Regularly traded across global numismatic platforms
