Description and research notes
The 1968 twenty-dollar specimen belongs to the second signature phase of New Zealand’s decimal currency series and bears the signature of D.L. Wilks as Chief Cashier, issued within the 1968-1975 production period following the initial decimal introduction of 1967. Wilks’ tenure represents the continuation and consolidation of the decimal system after its inaugural rollout under Roderick Ninian Fleming.
Printed by Thomas De La Rue & Company, London, this specimen follows the established external presentation format used for institutional distribution. It displays a bold red diagonal 'SPECIMEN' overprint, accompanied by two De La Rue oval control stamps and a single punch-hole cancellation. The note carries Serial BE000000 and is marked as Specimen No. 010, placing it within the controlled specimen allocation sequence prepared for official reference and distribution.
The design features Queen Elizabeth II in engraved portrait form, while the reverse presents the New Zealand pigeon (kererū) surrounded by native flora, a defining motif of the first decimal series. The Captain James Cook watermark remains embedded within the paper, maintaining continuity between New Zealand’s historical identity and its modern monetary framework. The twenty-dollar denomination replaced the ten-pound note of the pre-decimal system, positioning it within the higher-value tier of the new currency structure.
As a Wilks-signed specimen from the 1968-1975 issue, this note reflects the shift from initial decimal introduction to sustained national circulation. The complete De La Rue specimen format—overprint, dual oval stamps, and punch cancellation—confirms its role as a formal presentation piece rather than an internally retained perforated specimen.
Graded PMG 66 EPQ Gem Uncirculated, this example sits at the top of the PMG population for the type, with no higher-certified specimens at the time of cataloging. The Exceptional Paper Quality designation confirms full originality, undisturbed paper structure, and strong embossing. The clarity of the overprint, well-defined oval control stamps, and intact punch cancellation together present a technically complete and visually refined specimen from the Wilks signature period.