New Zealand two-cent coin facts for kids
| New Zealand | |
| Value | 0.02 New Zealand dollars |
|---|---|
| Mass | 4.14 g |
| Diameter | 21.08 mm |
| Composition | bronze |
| Years of minting | 1967-1987 |
| Catalog number | - |
| Obverse | |
| Design | Elizabeth II, Queen of New Zealand |
| Designer | Raphael Maklouf |
| Design date | 1986 |
| Reverse | |
| Design | Two kowhai flowers and leaves surrounding the figure “2” |
| Designer | Reginald George James Berry |
| Design date | 1967 |
The New Zealand two-cent coin was a small coin used in New Zealand. It was the second smallest coin when the New Zealand dollar was first introduced in 1967. This coin, along with the one-cent coin, stopped being used on April 30, 1990.
The back of the coin showed two kowhai flowers. These flowers are very special to New Zealand. The design was created by Reginald George James Berry. He designed the pictures for all the new coins that came out in 1967.
A Bit of History
New Zealand started using the dollar on July 10, 1967. This new money replaced the old New Zealand pound. The dollar was worth two pounds, meaning 200 cents made one pound. The new two-cent coin took the place of the old threepence coin.
From 1967 until 1985, the front of the coin showed a picture of Queen Elizabeth II. This picture was designed by Arnold Machin.
Design Changes and Why It Left
In 1986, the Queen's picture on the coin changed. A new design by Raphael Maklouf was used. This new picture had also been put on coins in Britain in 1985.
By 1988, it became too expensive to make the one-cent and two-cent coins. This was because prices were going up, and the coins were not worth as much anymore. So, they stopped making them. Even though they were no longer made, you could still use them as money until April 30, 1990.
In total, over 441 million two-cent coins were made. This included special proof coins and coins in collector sets. The total value of all these coins was more than $8.8 million.
See also
