New Zealand

NZ Post issues special $1 royal wedding coin, costs $149

11:15 am on 20 May 2018

NZ Post is issuing a special set of stamps and a coin to mark the marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

NZ Post has issued a set of stamps and a coin to mark the marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Photo: Supplied / New Zealand Post

The stamps feature official photos from their engagement and wedding, with approval from the Kensington Palace.

NZ Post head of stamps Simon Allison said designers worked through the night to get the stamps and coin into production which would hopefully start this afternoon.

He said the coin features a koru heart surrounding the royal couple, and incorporates and English and US rose.

Photo: Supplied / NZ Post

Both the stamps and coin have been designed by New Zealand artist Dave Burke.

The coin is a legal tender commemorative coin and is made with precious metal, and has a colour image and other elements.

"It has a $1 face value and is online .... for $149," Mr Allison said.

"So there's quite a difference between face value and retail value because they're a collectors piece."

Mr Allison said the wedding had mass global appeal and he expected the coin and the stamps to be hugely popular, with 60 percent of stamp sales likely to come from overseas.