Two Dollars 1997, Coin from New Zealand - detailed information

Two Dollars 1997, Coin from New Zealand
CoinTwo Dollars 1997

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. It is the largest and heaviest coin in circulation.

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

The 1997 New Zealand $2 coin was recalled quickly and destroyed because it was slightly wider than the earlier $2 coins, causing it to get stuck in vending machines and parking meters.

MintMint markTotal Mintage
South African Mint No mint mark 1,000,000 (1.0 million)
Royal Mint No mint mark 6,282
Obverse
New Zealand / Two Dollars 1997 - obverse photo

The obverse of the coin shows the crowned bust of Queen Elizabeth II, facing right (her effigy known as the "Third Portrait"). The Queen is wearing the royal diadem which she wears on her way to and from the State Opening of Parliament, a pearl necklace and earrings.

Incuse in tiny letters on the neck truncation, the designer's initials RDM (for Raphael David Maklouf).

Around, the monarch's legend and the date of issue: ELIZABETH II NEW ZEALAND 1997.

Obverse Inscription ELIZABETH II NEW ZEALAND 1997
Reverse
New Zealand / Two Dollars 1997 - reverse photo

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
EdgeSecurity grooveEdge InscriptionNone
Two Dollars 1997: Known varieties
Variety In sets (Royal Mint)
Mintage Issued: 4,150 (included in total)
Variety Proof (Royal Mint)
Mintage Issued: 2,132 (included in total)
Two Dollars 1997: References to Information Used
SourceEditionAboutLinkNotes
Reserve Bank of New Zealand Mint link
Reserve Bank of New Zealand Mintage link Circulation mintage
Krause, Standard Catalog of World Coins Mintage Sets and proof mintage
Krause, Standard Catalog of World Coins Varieties Sets and proof
All (35) coins of type: Two Dollars
Coin NameMintageEffigyLegend
Two Dollars 1990 30,018,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II NEW ZEALAND 1990
Two Dollars 1991 10,035,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II NEW ZEALAND 1991
Two Dollars 1992 (mint sets only) 24,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II NEW ZEALAND 1992
Two Dollars 1993 Kingfisher 50,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II NEW ZEALAND 1993
Two Dollars 1994 (mint sets only) 11,600 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II NEW ZEALAND 1994
Two Dollars 1995 (mint sets only) 9,560 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II NEW ZEALAND 1995
Two Dollars 1996 (mint sets only) 7,719 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II NEW ZEALAND 1996
Two Dollars 1997 1,006,282 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II NEW ZEALAND 1997
Two Dollars 1998 6,002,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait ELIZABETH II NEW ZEALAND 1998
Two Dollars 1999 5,054,999 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait NEW ZEALAND ELIZABETH II 1999
Two Dollars 2000 (mint sets only) 4,500 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait NEW ZEALAND ELIZABETH II 2000
Two Dollars 2001 3,004,910 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait NEW ZEALAND ELIZABETH II 2001
Two Dollars 2002 6,005,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait NEW ZEALAND ELIZABETH II 2002
Two Dollars 2003 6,004,496 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait NEW ZEALAND ELIZABETH II 2003
Two Dollars 2004 (mint sets only) 6,300 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait NEW ZEALAND ELIZABETH II 2004
Two Dollars 2005 5,006,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait NEW ZEALAND ELIZABETH II 2005
Two Dollars 2006 (mint sets only) 5,100 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait NEW ZEALAND ELIZABETH II 2006
Two Dollars 2007 (mint sets only) 9,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait NEW ZEALAND ELIZABETH II 2007
Two Dollars 2008 8,008,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait NEW ZEALAND ELIZABETH II 2008
Two Dollars 2009 (mint sets only) 3,500 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait NEW ZEALAND ELIZABETH II 2009
Two Dollars 2010 (mint sets only) 3,500 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait NEW ZEALAND ELIZABETH II 2010
Two Dollars 2011 8,004,700 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait NEW ZEALAND ELIZABETH II 2011
Two Dollars 2012 (mint sets only) 4,500 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait NEW ZEALAND ELIZABETH II 2012
Two Dollars 2013 (mint sets only) 3,500 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait NEW ZEALAND ELIZABETH II 2013
Two Dollars 2014 7,000,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait NEW ZEALAND ELIZABETH II 2014
Two Dollars 2015 3,000,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait NEW ZEALAND ELIZABETH II 2015
Two Dollars 2016 3,001,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait NEW ZEALAND ELIZABETH II 2016
Two Dollars 2017 (proof only) 750 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait NEW ZEALAND ELIZABETH II 2017
Two Dollars 2018 (proof only) 1,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait NEW ZEALAND ELIZABETH II 2018
Two Dollars 2019 12,201,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait NEW ZEALAND ELIZABETH II 2019
Two Dollars 2020 5,901,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait NEW ZEALAND ELIZABETH II 2020
Two Dollars 2021 (proof only) 1,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait NEW ZEALAND ELIZABETH II 2021
Two Dollars 2022 8,001,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait NEW ZEALAND ELIZABETH II 2022
Two Dollars 2023 (proof only) 1,000 Queen Elizabeth II - Fourth Portrait NEW ZEALAND ELIZABETH II 2023
Two Dollars 2024 (proof only) 1,250 King Charles III - Portrait by Dan Thorne CHARLES III NEW ZEALAND 2024
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Two Dollars 1997: Details
CountryNew Zealand
CurrencyNew Zealand Dollar
Coin TypeTwo Dollars
Issued1997
MonarchQueen Elizabeth II
EffigyQueen Elizabeth II - Third Portrait, by Raphael Maklouf
Face Value2 (x Dollar)
Total Mintage1,006,282 (1.0 million)
CurrentYes
MaterialAluminium Bronze
DesignerRobert Maurice Conly
TechnologyMilled (machine-made)
ShapeRound
OrientationMedal Alignment (Axis 0)
Size26.5000 mm
Thickness2.7000 mm
Mass10.0000 g
OCC IDRDKL-MOMK-CXPY-ONZB
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Two Dollars 1997: Photos
ImageDetails
Two Dollars 1997: Photo $2 1997 / thumbnail $2 1997
Copyright: New Zealand Coin Errors and Varieties
Source
Two Dollars 1997: Photo $2 1997 / thumbnail $2 1997
Copyright: New Zealand Coin Errors and Varieties
Source
Two Dollars 1997: Catalogue Reference IDs
SourceReference ID
Krause, Standard Catalog of World CoinsNew Zealand KM# 79