New $10 notes for sale on TradeMe

An enterprising entrepreneur is auctioning off the new $10 banknotes on TradeMe. Photo / Mark Mitchell

An enterprising entrepreneur has made a tidy profit on a pair of $10 banknotes not yet in circulation.

New Zealand's new $5 and $10 banknotes won't be in public circulation until Monday, but one Trade Me auctioneer has cashed in early, selling two of the notes for $34 - or $17 each - plus shipping.

The listing, from Trade Me user is 'mudeki', prompted many questions over why someone would want to pay more than its face value.

"This note is in uncirculated condition and has no creases from a teller counting it or scratches from automatic counting machines," the seller replies to the first question.

"A number if [sic] banks are reporting they can't weigh the notes correctly so are flicking through them leaving marks that collectors will not want... Also not all buyers on trademe are in New Zealand so this may be an option for them to purchase."

The auction was viewed more than 20,000 times before it closed tonight.