Medal - HMS New Zealand

Reverse

6 line inscription

Script: Latin

Lettering: TO COMMEMORATE // THE VISIT // OF // NEW ZEALAND'S // GIFT // BATTLESHIP //

Edge

Plain

Comment

Visit of HMS New Zealand commemorative medal, On 20 June 1913 the Nelson paper The Colonist advertised “Beautiful Medals to commemorate the visit of our Battleship H.M.S. New Zealand, 6d.” At least three souvenir medals were produced during the 1913 tour. In April 1913 pupils from Waterfall School near Eketahuna had a brief visit to Wellington, and “After having a picnic in the train … thence on to the warship, where they bought a medal as a souvenir of the occasion, and then left for the shore”. In Christchurch there was a brisk trade in souvenirs and businesses took on casual staff to cope with the trade. The Press advertised for ‘Smart Lads or Girls to sell medals”, while another advertisement offered "Men and Boys" a good commission to sell H.M.S. New Zealand souvenirs.