1967 - 1968 Decimal Pictorials

Definitive Tour.

Back to 1960 - 1966 Pictorial Definitives. Forward to 1970 Decimal Pictorials.

         1967 - 1968 Decimal Pictorials - Part One.
                    An overview of this definitive issue with First Day Covers.
         1967 - 1968 Decimal Pictorials - Part Two.
                    Various extra issues that appeared over the next two years.
         1967 - 1968 Decimal Pictorials - Part Three.
                    The information on the designs/subjects of each stamp in more detail.
         1967 - 1968 Decimal Pictorials - Part Four.
                    Flaws and errors in the lower values.
         1967 - 1968 Decimal Pictorials - Part Five.
                    Flaws and errors in the higher values.

Introduction to the 1967 - 1968 Pictorials.

The planning of the 1967 definitive set commenced as early as July 1964 but it was not until January 1966 that preliminary notice was given by the New Zealand Post Office that decimal currency stamps would be put on sale on 10 July

1967, the day when New Zealand would begin the conversion to decimal currency. It was decided that as there was insufficient time to have a new set of pictorial stamps designed and printed, the design and colours of the existing 1960 Pictorial issue would be retained.

         All the sterling currency stamps were withdrawn from Post Offices at the close of business on the last working day prior to Decimal Currency Day. Sterling currency stamps could, however, continue to be used for postage purposes until demonetised on 1 August 1971 or exchanged for decimal currency stamps of equivalent value up until 31 July 1972. On the morning of the 10th July, 1967 the new decimal stamps went on sale.
         New Zealand decimalised on 10 July 1967, with the New Zealand dollar replacing the New Zealand pound. The conversion rates were the same as Australia's—10c to one shilling, one dollar to 10 shillings, and two dollars to one pound. Confusion was expected with twelve pence becoming ten cents, such as people expecting four cents' change from paying ten cents/one shilling for an item costing eight cents. To help avoid this, the Decimal Currency Board recommended on inter-currency transactions (e.g., paying 4c with £sd coins, or paying 4d with dollar coins) to pay to the next highest five cents or sixpence to get the correct change.

                                                                        Approximant Conversion Chart.
                                       1d     2d     3d     4d     5d     6d     7d     8d     9d     10d     11d     12d. (1 shilling)
                                       1c     2c      3c         4c         5c      6c     7c            8c           9c      10c.

A First Day Cover of the 9 lower values.

Both Thomas De la Rue and Harrison and Sons who were responsible for printing the 1960 set retained the contracts for the decimal currency set. The 1/2c, 1c, 2c, 2 1/2c, 3c, 5c and 7c stamps were printed by Thomas De La Rue & Co Ltd and the 4c and 6c values printed by Harrison and Sons Ltd.

A First Day Cover showing the full set as issued on the 10th July 1967

Two additional stamps, with new designs, were added to the set in late 1967 (7½c) and mid 1968 (28c) and two of the original designs were reissued in different colours in 1968 (15c and $2). A set of six stamp featuring New Zealand Exports was also added on various dates through 1967 - 1968.