Two Dollars, Coin Type from New Zealand

Two Dollars, Coin Type from New Zealand (issued 1990 - )

Coin Type	Two Dollars

The New Zealand two-dollar coin ($2) is the largest-denomination coin of the New Zealand Dollar. It was introduced along with the one-dollar coin in 1990, replacing an earlier banknote. Both are made from an alloy of aluminium and brass. It is the largest and heaviest coin in circulation, weighing ten grams and measuring 26.5 millimetres in diameter. Its thickness is 2.7 mm, only 0.4 mm thinner than the one-dollar coin, thus it is the second-thickest coin in the country's circulation.

The reverse design by New Zealand artist Robert Maurice Conly has not changed since the introduction of the denomination.

The composition of the alloy is: 92% copper, 6% aluminium, 2% nickel. The edge is "fully milled plus an incuse channel and 10 raised dimples within" (a "security groove").

Obverse
Portrait of the ruling monarch, legend, date.

Obverse Inscription	Legend of the ruling monarch, date

Reverse

The reverse features an eastern great egret (a type of white heron, Ardea alba modesta; in Maori: kotuku) below curved decorations. The bird is sacred to New Zealand's indigenous Māori people, and highly endangered within the country, only inhabiting the Okarito Lagoon on the South Island.

Kotuku or white heron have always been rare in New Zealand and are revered by both Māori and pakeha for its elegant white feathers. This graceful bird has long, slender legs and a long, thin S-shaped neck, which has a distinct kink when flying. Kotuku are specially adapted for wading in shallow, muddy waterways: it has long legs that are bare of feathers to well above the ankle joint and long spreading toes. In New Zealand it only breeds near Whataroa, South Westland, between September and January.

The value and denomination, TWO DOLLARS, is curved below the bird.

Reverse Inscription	TWO DOLLARS

Edge	Security groove	Edge Inscription	None

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Coin Type: Two Dollars - (35) Coins

Coin Name	Reverse	Obverse	In my collection(s)
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Two Dollars: Details

Country	New Zealand
Currency	New Zealand Dollar
Sub-types	Two Dollars (one year types)
From	1990
Face Value	2 (x Dollar)
Current	Yes
Material	Aluminium Bronze
Designer	Robert Maurice Conly
Technology	Milled (machine-made)
Shape	Round
Orientation	Medal Alignment (Axis 0)
Size	26.5000 mm
Thickness	2.7000 mm
Mass	10.0000 g

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Coins of England and the United Kingdom 2024 Pre-decimal Issues

Two Dollars: Photos

Image	Details
	$2 1997 Copyright: New Zealand Coin Errors and Varieties Source
	$2 1993 Kingfisher Type Copyright: New Zealand Coin Errors and Varieties Notes: 1993 only. Source
	$2 1993 Kingfisher Type Copyright: New Zealand Coin Errors and Varieties Source
	$2 1995 Copyright: New Zealand Coin Errors and Varieties Source
	$2 2003 Circulating type Copyright: New Zealand Coin Errors and Varieties Source

Relevant Links

$2 coin - Reserve Bank of New Zealand

New Zealand two-dollar coin - Wikipedia

Two Dollars, Coin Type from New Zealand - detailed information