Footnote: Upon the first visit to New Zealand by HMS New Zealand in 1913, medallions were struck to commemorate the visit. This un-mounted medal was awarded by the Citizens of Auckland, to the officers and crew of HMS New Zealand during the battle cruiser’s visit to Auckland, from April 29 to May 10, 1913, and was issued un-named. As they were a medallion, many of the crew placed First War type suspenders on them and wore them on a plain blue or Royal Naval Long Service and Good Conduct medal ribbon. Some even place loops and pin attachments, as per this example. HMS New Zealand was one of three Indefatigable-class battle cruisers built for the defence of the British Empire. Launched in 1911, the ship was funded by the government of New Zealand as a gift to Britain, and she was commissioned into the Royal Navy in 1912. She had been intended for the China Station, but was released by the New Zealand government at the request of the Admiralty for service in British waters. During 1913, New Zealand was sent on a ten-month tour of the British Dominions, with an emphasis on a visit to her namesake nation. She was back in British waters at the start of the First World War, and operated as part of the Royal Navy's Grand Fleet, in opposition to the German High Seas Fleet. During the war, the battle cruiser participated in all three of the major North Sea battles, Heligoland Bight, Dogger Bank, and Jutland, and was involved in the response to the inconclusive Raid on Scarborough, and the Second Battle of Heligoland Bight. New Zealand contributed to the destruction of two cruisers during her wartime service and was hit by enemy fire only once, sustaining no casualties. Her status as a "lucky ship" was attributed by the crew to a Māori piupiu (warrior's skirt) and hei-tiki (pendant) worn by the captain during battle. After the war, New Zealand was sent on a second world tour, this time to allow Admiral John Jellicoe to review the naval defences of the Dominions. In 1920, the battlecruiser was placed in reserve. She was broken up for scrap in 1922, in order to meet Britain's tonnage limit in the disarmament provisions of the Washington Naval Treaty.
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New Zealand. A Medallion Commemorating the HMS New Zealand in 1913
In sterling silver, obverse illustrating the Indefatigable-class battle cruiser HMS New Zealand with the date "1913" immediately below the ship, surrounded by the inscription "TO THE OFFICERS AND CREW OF H.M.S. NEW ZEALAND", reverse illustrating the coat-of-arms of the Dominion of New Zealand, inscribed "THE DOMINION" above and "NEW ZEALAND" below, measuring 35.5 mm in diameter, two rings and the remnants of a hinge on the reverse from previous suspension conversion by the recipient, edge nicks, bruised, contact marks, fine.
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