1998 New Zealand TEN DOLLARS - Gilded Gold 100 Years of Motoring

Obverse:Queen Elizabeth II - Design by Raphael Maklouf.
Legend: ELIZABETH. II. NEW ZEALAND 1998
Reverse:1895 Benz - 100 Years of Motoring - Design by Michael McHalick.
Legend: ONE HUNDRED YEARS OF MOTORING TEN DOLLARS
Edge:Reeded - fully milled.
Weight:31.10 grams
Size:38.61 mm (diameter)
Composition:Copper/Zinc Alloy coated with 24 carat Gold (Gilded)
Mintage:1,500
Mintmarks:None.

Valuation :
1998 TEN DOLLARS - Gilded Gold - 100 Years of Motoring

Proof
199860

Notes:

Although Cecil Wood of Timaru had piloted New Zealand's first car in 1896, his home-made machine was only a novelty. The real motoring invasion began two years later in 1898. In that year, Wellington businessman William McLean returned from a trip to Europe with two 1895 Benz motorcars. He immediately struck problems getting permission to run the vehicles on the roads - there was no motor car legislation, nor were number plates available.
Traffic laws of the day did not allow for the use of horseless carriages. Undeterred by this, McLean illegally drove his Benz down Victoria Street and through some of the narrow streets of Wellington. Neither the roads nor the public were ready for such curiosities and early motoring conditions were appalling.

McLean was also involved in another motoring first - the first car accident in New Zealand. He invited the Mayor of Wellington, T W Hislop, for a drive through the city. They motored along Kent Terrace in the presence of many open-mouthed spectators and groups of small boys following behind. However, the car went out of control and crashed through the old Basin Reserve fence. Mr Hislop's nose was bleeding and he and McLean almost came to blows over the incident.

The charming 1895 Benz on which the coin design is based, is shown in the photograph above. It is understood to be New Zealand's oldest car which was imported in its heyday, and is housed in the Southward Car Museum in Paraparaumu, New Zealand. It is also one of only two remaining models of this year in the world.

Source: Certificate accompanying the 1998 Proof $10 100 Years of Motoring Coin, Reserve Bank of New Zealand.

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