Five giant creatures - past and present - found in and around
New Zealand are being featured in a combined stamps and coins
series released by New Zealand Post today.
The five-stamp series showcases the colossal squid, southern
right whale, the giant eagle and giant species of the moa and
weta.
"The giant creatures are brought to life through
illustrations on giant stamps that are almost a third larger
than usual," general manager stamps and coins Ivor Masters
said today.
"The Giants of New Zealand stamp series is complemented by a
limited edition set of five legal tender pure silver bullion
coins, each featuring one of the giants."
The 50-cent stamp showcases the extinct South Island giant
moa, the tallest bird ever, reaching up to three metres in
height.
The $1 stamp features the first specimen of the colossal
squid found in a sperm whale's stomach in 1925.
Others include:
* $1.50 stamp -- the southern right whale, once found in huge
numbers around New Zealand, but due to whaling verged on
extinction in the early 20th century;
* $2.00 stamp -- the giant eagle with its three-metre
wingspan; and
* $2.50 stamp -- the weta which grows up to 10cm in length.
The Giants of New Zealand legal tender coin sets are
individually numbered and limited to 1500 worldwide.
