Catalog
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| Issuer | Reserve Bank of New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Year | 1990-1998 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | 2 Dollars |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
| Weight | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
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| Reverse description | A kotuku (white heron, Ardea alba modesta), the rare and sacred bird of Maori tradition, depicted in full flight with wings raised and neck outstretched, occupying the central field. The bird is framed on all sides by flowing Maori koru scroll motifs rendered in relief, forming a decorative border that evokes traditional Maori art. The denomination TWO DOLLARS is inscribed in bold raised lettering along the lower arc of the coin. |
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| Additional information |
New Zealand's aluminium bronze two-dollar coin entered circulation in 1990 as part of a broader decimalization refresh, replacing the paper note that had become unpopular for its short lifespan in humid Pacific conditions. The Reserve Bank's decision to coinize the denomination followed similar moves in Australia and Canada, where note-to-coin conversions had demonstrated clear cost savings over multi-year circulation cycles.
The series ended in 1999 when New Zealand undertook a significant downsizing of its coinage, reducing physical dimensions across the board in response to public complaints about the weight of the existing issues.