Definition:
A Mule coin is a coin minted with a different Obverse or Reverse design not normally intended for that coin.
New Zealand has a number of Mule coins but only two were found in abundance in general circulation. These are the 1967 Bahamas Mule 2 cent and the 2004 10 cent/$1 mule.
1967 Bahamas Mule
This coin was minted with the obverse design from the Bahamas 5 cent coin and the Reverse of the NZ 2 cent coin. This resulted in the coin having no date and a truly spectacular mistake that can now be rather hard to find in true UNC (full luster).
More information regarding the Bahamas Mule has been produced in the PDF below where Paul Bicknell has done extensive research on this mint error.
-
- 1967 Bahamas Mule
The Story of the Bahamas Mule Coin PDF
2000 Pied Cormorant Mule in Mint Set
Photos provided by Noble Numismatics PTY LTD
-
- Noble Numismatics Sale 103 Lot 938
-
- Noble Numismatics Sale 103 Lot 938
2004 10 cent with $1 obverse
Found only in 2015 this coin was produced using the smaller die intended for the 2004 $1 coin and not the 10 cent die this resulted in a doubled rim around the coin.
As per article in the Royal Numismatic Society of NZ Journal Number 95 – December 2015
-
- 10 Cent Mule
-
- 10 Cent Normal
-
- 10 Cent ex UNC Set
-
- $1 Normal Circulating
-
- $1 ex UNC Set
-
- Normal 10 Cent Top Mule Bottom
-
- 10c & $1 Ex Set
-
- $1 Circulating & 10C Mule
What to look for when searching for this Mule
-
- Marks in front of mouth
-
- Marks at the back of Hair
-
- Die Line between L & A (Thanks to K Harris for pointing this out)
-
- Die line from Queen although this got longer as the die was used and sometimes is not seen
-
- Comparison between dates
-
- Comparison to designers Initials