{"product_id":"1985-reserve-bank-of-new-zealand-2-two-nzd-dollars-banknote-serial-no-ekk-717225-p-170b","title":"1985 Reserve Bank of New Zealand - $2 (Two) NZD Dollars Banknote Serial No. EKK 717225 P-170b","description":"\u003ch1\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e1985 New Zealand 2 Dollar Banknote – P‑170b\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA Late‑Series Paper Note Featuring Queen Elizabeth II \u0026amp; the Rifleman\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003e1985 New Zealand 2 Dollar banknote (Pick 170b)\u003c\/strong\u003e is part of the country’s \u003cstrong\u003eFourth Series\u003c\/strong\u003e of decimal banknotes, issued between \u003cstrong\u003e1981 and 1991\u003c\/strong\u003e. This series modernised New Zealand’s currency with updated portraits, improved colour palettes, and refined printing quality. The P‑170b subtype is defined by its \u003cstrong\u003emid‑1980s signature combination\u003c\/strong\u003e, making it a popular and widely collected variety.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrinted by \u003cstrong\u003eBradbury Wilkinson \u0026amp; Co.\u003c\/strong\u003e, this note features the mature portrait of \u003cstrong\u003eQueen Elizabeth II\u003c\/strong\u003e on the obverse and the \u003cstrong\u003erifleman (Acanthisitta chloris)\u003c\/strong\u003e — one of New Zealand’s smallest and most ancient native birds — on the reverse. It is a vibrant and iconic example of late‑20th‑century New Zealand banknote design.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eKey Features \u0026amp; Catalogue Details\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCountry:\u003c\/strong\u003e New Zealand\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIssuer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Reserve Bank of New Zealand\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDenomination:\u003c\/strong\u003e 2 Dollars\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYear of Issue:\u003c\/strong\u003e ND 1985\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePick Number:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eP‑170b\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeries:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fourth Series (1981–1991)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrinter:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eBradbury Wilkinson \u0026amp; Co.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Paper, intaglio + multicolour lithographic underprint\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e Approx. 145 × 73 mm\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWatermark:\u003c\/strong\u003e Captain James Cook\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSignature Variety:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mid‑series signatures defining the “b” subtype\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTheme:\u003c\/strong\u003e Royal portraiture + native wildlife\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDesign Overview\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eObverse – Queen Elizabeth II\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eMature portrait of \u003cstrong\u003eQueen Elizabeth II\u003c\/strong\u003e, wearing the Queen Alexandra Kokoshnik tiara.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrinted in \u003cstrong\u003egreen and multicolour\u003c\/strong\u003e, with crisp intaglio detailing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eClean, modern layout typical of New Zealand’s 1980s banknote design.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReverse – Rifleman (Acanthisitta chloris)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFeatures the \u003cstrong\u003erifleman\u003c\/strong\u003e, one of New Zealand’s smallest endemic birds and a member of the ancient Acanthisittidae family.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSurrounded by native flora, reinforcing the natural‑heritage theme of the series.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA distinctive and beloved design among collectors.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWatermark\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCaptain James Cook\u003c\/strong\u003e, visible when held to the light — a long‑standing watermark used across multiple denominations.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistorical Context\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBy the mid‑1980s, New Zealand’s paper $2 note was approaching the end of its circulation life. Rising production costs and the durability of coins led to the introduction of the $2 coin in \u003cstrong\u003e1991\u003c\/strong\u003e, making the P‑170 series the final generation of $2 paper notes.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe P‑170b subtype sits between the earlier P‑170a and later P‑170c\/d varieties, defined by its signature pairing and mid‑1980s print run. It remains one of the most accessible and recognisable notes from the era.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy Collect the P‑170b Note?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinal‑Era Paper $2 Note:\u003c\/strong\u003e Part of the last paper series before the denomination was replaced by a coin.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrinted by Bradbury Wilkinson:\u003c\/strong\u003e A respected printer known for high‑quality engraving.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStrong Catalogue Identity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Clearly referenced as Pick 170b.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAttractive Artwork:\u003c\/strong\u003e Combines royal portraiture with a beautifully engraved native bird.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAffordable \u0026amp; Popular:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ideal for both new and advanced collectors.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"notescounter","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56431123431801,"sku":null,"price":11.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0915\/7168\/3705\/files\/20251231_124342.jpg?v=1767196040","url":"https:\/\/notescounter.co.uk\/products\/1985-reserve-bank-of-new-zealand-2-two-nzd-dollars-banknote-serial-no-ekk-717225-p-170b","provider":"notescounter","version":"1.0","type":"link"}