Some American coins could now help solve a mystery surrounding New Zealand's tallest mountain, Aoraki-Mount Cook.

American money, a karabina with human hair intact, and a camera are three critical pieces of the puzzle which will help police identify the skeleton which was retrieved from the east face of Aoraki-Mount Cook on Thursday.

Police say money found with the remains suggests the skeleton is that of a climber who went missing after 1985.

Twenty five bodies in all remain buried on the formidable mountain which has claimed 199 lives since 1907.

"It's very unforgiving, there's very little room for error, you're fighting nature at its worst," says Constable Brett Simon of Twizel Police.

Notes found with the remains suggest a United States connection and have helped police narrow their identity search to two climbing parties lost during the crucial timeframe

Steven Parkinson and his American companion Chip Salaun went missing in 1985. Three years later in 1988 two Americans, Ian Watts and David Tarrant and an English friend met the same fate.

Since this discovery Twizel Police have been flooded with calls from families whose loved ones never returned from Mount Cook.

It is hoped the mystery climbers identity will be revealed by next week giving final closure to his family.