New Zealand: Coin Two Cents 1967 (no date, Bahamas mule) - detailed information

The New Zealand two-cent coin was the second smallest denomination coin of the New Zealand dollar from the currency's introduction in 1967 to its demonetisation, along with the one-cent coin, in 1990. Its reverse featured two kowhai flowers, considered emblematic of New Zealand.

Due to an error at the Royal Mint in London, an estimated 50,000 coins were struck with an obverse die meant for the Bahama Islands; these have no date, as the respective five cent coin it was paired with had the date on the reverse. Many of these coins were released into circulation before the error was discovered. They soon became popular with collectors though, so would not have circulated for long before being hoarded by somebody.

This mule is listed under New Zealand everywhere because all these coins were found in New Zealand shortly after release, and were apparently minted at the Royal Mint as part of the regular New Zealand coinage of the year, then shipped there accordingly.

Diademed and draped bust of Queen Elizabeth II facing right (effigy known as the "Second portrait", by Arnold Machin. Around (in error), ELIZABETH II BAHAMA ISLANDS.

Two curved kowhai flowers and leaves surrounding the figure 2 [cents] at lower right. The artist's initials JB (for [Reginald George] James Berry) are in tiny letters under the last leaf.

Mintage is estimated, and is included in the regular mintage for 1967.