Papua New Guinea’s first-ever 2 kina coin was issued for the central bank’s 35th anniversary: on 7 November 2008 in Port Moresby, Governor L. Wilson Kamit of the Bank of Papua New Guinea launched it as a commemorative circulation coin to circulate alongside the banknote of the same value.

The Bank was established on 1 November 1973, soon after self-government and almost two years before independence, and in 1975 the country introduced its own kina and toea. Those 35 years are marked on the reverse: the bank’s emblem in the centre, with «BANK OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA», «35th ANNIVERSARY», the dates «1973-2008» and the value «K2» around it.

The obverse shows the national arms with the bird of paradise and the legend «PAPUA NEW GUINEA 2008». The coin is bimetallic: its centre and ring are made of different alloys, giving it two colours. It was produced by the Royal Canadian Mint.

The same day saw the release of an anniversary 50 toea with the bank’s emblem in red, a natural companion to the 2 kina of 2008 in a collection. Uncirculated condition: the coin never circulated, shows no wear and keeps its mint lustre, with only minor bag marks possible.

Numismatics begins with a single coin and continues in the VPcoins catalogue.