2 dollars 1981 specimen

Common. Specimen notes, while not circulating in commerce, were produced in quantities sufficient for distribution to banking institutions, government entities, and serious collectors. The eBay pricing data showing a PMG 66 specimen selling for $280 in 2018 indicates moderate collector demand but not extreme rarity. Specimen notes from major series like this 1981-1992 issue are typically produced in hundreds or thousands, making them common relative to scarce high-grade circulated notes or rare date/signature combinations. The note's condition (UNC) and specimen status make it desirable to collectors but not exceptionally rare.

The 1981 issue marks a transitional period in New Zealand's currency design, moving from earlier Commonwealth-focused imagery toward distinctly New Zealand themes. Queen Elizabeth II's mature portrait reflects her continued role as New Zealand's sovereign during the early 1980s, while the reverse's focus on the rifleman and native mistletoe emphasizes New Zealand's military heritage and distinctive flora, reinforcing national identity during a period of economic and social change in the country.

The obverse features a formal right-facing profile portrait of Queen Elizabeth II in her mature years, adorned with pearls and formal regalia, positioned in the center-right portion. The reverse depicts a rifleman figure (representing New Zealand's military heritage, likely referencing the New Zealand Rifle Brigade or similar military unit) at center, surrounded by detailed botanical engravings of mistletoe (Loranthus), a plant native to or significant in New Zealand's flora. Both sides employ elaborate guilloche security patterns, ornamental scrollwork, and shield devices containing the denomination '2', arranged symmetrically in corner positions. The overall design uses a purple base with multicolored underprinting in blue, green, orange, and pink across cream/off-white paper stock.

Front side: 'RESERVE BANK OF NEW ZEALAND' (issuing authority), 'THIS NOTE IS LEGAL TENDER FOR TWO DOLLARS' (legal declaration), 'SPECIMEN' (note classification), 'CHIEF CASHIER' (authority signature line), 'EAA 000000' (specimen serial number). Back side: 'RESERVE BANK OF NEW ZEALAND' (issuing authority), 'TWO DOLLARS' (denomination), 'SPECIMEN' (note classification), 'RIFLEMAN' (vignette identification), 'MISTLETOE' (botanical specimen identification). Denomination numeral '2' appears in corner shields on both sides.

Intaglio engraving (line engraving) combined with multicolor offset lithography, characteristic of Bradbury Wilkinson & Company's security printing methods. The intricate guilloche patterns, fine line security designs, and detailed portrait and botanical engravings demonstrate traditional intaglio techniques. The multicolor underprinting and layered color application indicate offset lithography was used for background color layers, with intaglio engraving for security details and primary design elements. This combination represents state-of-the-art security printing for 1981.

This is a specimen issue (indicated by SPECIMEN overprint and serial number prefix EAA 000000) of the 1981 Reserve Bank of New Zealand $2 note, Pick 170s. The 's' suffix in the Pick catalog designation designates this as a specimen variety. No signature varieties are discernible from the visual analysis provided. The note belongs to the broader 1981-1992 date range of issue, with the actual 1981 date confirmed by catalog data. Specimen notes of this series may exist with different printer marks or security feature variations, though the core design remains consistent with the circulating version (Pick 170).