New Zealand's switch from silver to copper-nickel for its subsidiary coinage came in 1947, driven by postwar silver shortages and treasury pressure to reduce bullion costs across the Commonwealth. The 3rd type designation reflects a modification to the royal titles following Indian independence — "IND:IMP" was dropped from the legend in 1949, making pre- and post-1949 strikes within this short run technically distinct issues under the same KM number.
New Zealand's switch from silver to copper-nickel for its subsidiary coinage came in 1947, driven by postwar silver shortages and treasury pressure to reduce bullion costs across the Commonwealth. The 3rd type designation reflects a modification to the royal titles following Indian independence — "IND:IMP" was dropped from the legend in 1949, making pre- and post-1949 strikes within this short run technically distinct issues under the same KM number.