608) Cook Islands: Commemorating 50 Years (Golden Jubilee) of Self-Governance (1965-2015): A Circulating Coin set issued in 2015 by the Royal Australian Mint for Numismatists/Collectors in 2015: Cook Islands Dollar and Cents:
About Cook Islands:
About Cook Islands:
The Cook Islands is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean in free association with New Zealand, which is responsible for the Cook Island's defence and foreign affairs. The capital of the Islands is Avarua.
The Cook Islands archipelago lies North-east of New Zealand between French Polynesia and American Samoa. comprises 15 Islands (spread over 2,200,000 sq. kms (or 849,425 sq. miles) with a total area of about 240 sq.kms (or 92.7 sq. miles). The Cook Islands Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) covers about 1,800,000 sq. kms (or 690,000 sq. miles).
Historical Trivia of Cook Islands:
In the 6th Century,the Cook Islands were first settled by the Polynesian visitors who migrated here from Tahiti, some 1,154 kms (or 717 miles) away to the North-east.
In the 16th Century, Spanish ships visited the Islands.
In 1595, the Spanish explorer Alvaro de Mendana de Neira wrote the first written record of an Island when he visited the Pukapuka Island (a coral atoll) , which he called "San Bernardo" (after Saint Bernard).
In 1606, a Portuguese captain engaged by the Spanish crown made the first detailed description of the Islands after he landed on Rakahanga Island which he named "Gente Hermosa" (meaning "Beautiful people").
In 1773 & 1777, a British navigator James Cook visited and named the Island of Manuae "Hervey Island".
By the 1820s, the Island Archipelago came to be known as Cook Islands in some naval charts and the name stuck ever since.
In 1888, the Cook Islands became a British Protectorate.
In 1990, the Islands were formally ceded to the British and became a part of the British dominions.
On 01.01.1949, under the British Nationality and New Zealand Citizenship Act 1948, Cook Islanders who were hitherto British citizens acquired New Zealand citizenship.
Till 1965, Cook Islands was a New Zealand dependent territory, when it was offered a self-governing status, a status which it acquired on 04.08.1965.
In 2015, the Cook Islands celebrated the Golden Jubilee of its self-governing Independence.
Present Day:
The Cook Islands is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean in free association with New Zealand, which is responsible for the Cook Island's defence and foreign affairs. The capital of the Islands is Avarua.
The Islands population is about 18,000 individuals, of which the main population of about 12,000, resides on the Island of Rarotonga, with a larger population of Cook Islanders residing in New Zealand, particularly the North Island.
The approximate break-up of the ethnic groups residing on the Island is - 81.3 % Maori, 6.7 % part-Maori and 11.9 % others. The languages spoken are English, Cook Islands Maori (or "Rarotongan" - closely related to Tahitian and to New Zealand Maori) and Pukapukan (which is closely related to Samoan).
The main economic activity of the Islands is through tourism, with offshore banking, marine and fruit exports contributing their share as well.
Circulation Coins:
The Cook Islands currency is the Dollar sub-divided into 100 Cents.
Until 1967, the New Zealand Pound was the circulating currency in the Cook Islands, when the Cook Island Dollar replaced the New Zealand Dollar as the circulating currency.
In 1972, coins specifically issued for Cook Islands were introduced into circulation.
In 1987, Banknotes specially printed for the Cook Islands were circulated in the Islands.
The minting of coins has been carried out by the Royal Australian Mint and the Perth Mint and the Franklin Mint (a private mint), while the printing of Banknotes has been carried out by the Security paper & printing major De La Rue.
The first series of circulating coins (1972 - 2010):
Obverses of a coin set of 8 coins issued in 1974
On the Obverses of all the coins issued in this series is depicted the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II facing left.
Reverses of the Coin set issued in 1974. It is titled - "1974 COINS OF COOK ISLANDS" - UNCIRCULATED SET STRUCK BY ROYAL AUSTRALIAN MINT"
On the Reverse of the 1 Cent coin is depicted Taro leaf. The size of this coin is 18.0 mm and its metallic composition is Bronze.
On the Reverse of the 2 Cents coin is depicted Pineapples. The size of this coin is 21.0 mm and its metallic composition is Bronze.
On the Reverse of the 5 Cents coin is depicted a Hibiscus blossom. The size of this coin is 19.0 mm and its metallic composition is Cupro-nickel.
On the Reverse of the 10 Cents coin is depicted an Orange on a branch. The size of this coin is 24.0 mm and its metallic composition is Cupro-nickel.
On the Reverse of the 20 Cents coin is depicted a Fairy Tern. The size of this coin is 29.0 mm and its metallic composition is Cupro-nickel.
On the Reverse of the 50 Cents coin is depicted a Bonito (1972-87 and 1992) Sea Turtle (1988-1994). The size of this coin is 32.0 mm and its metallic composition is Cupro-nickel.
On the Reverse of the 1 Dollar coin is depicted a Tangaroa, Sea God in Maori Mythology. The size of this coin is 30.0 mm and its metallic composition is Cupro-nickel.
On the Reverse of the 2 Dollars coin is depicted a a Table and a water vessel. The size of this coin is 27.0 mm and its metallic composition is Cupro-nickel.
On the Reverse of the 5 Dollars coin is depicted a Conch. The size of this coin is 33.0 mm and its metallic composition is Nickel-Brass.
The present circulating second series (2015 onwards):
For several years, Numismatists have been collecting non-circulating legal tender coins from the Cook Islands, issued by various private and national mints under licence from the Cook Islands authorities.
The Cook Islands archipelago lies North-east of New Zealand between French Polynesia and American Samoa. comprises 15 Islands (spread over 2,200,000 sq. kms (or 849,425 sq. miles) with a total area of about 240 sq.kms (or 92.7 sq. miles). The Cook Islands Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) covers about 1,800,000 sq. kms (or 690,000 sq. miles).
Historical Trivia of Cook Islands:
In the 6th Century,the Cook Islands were first settled by the Polynesian visitors who migrated here from Tahiti, some 1,154 kms (or 717 miles) away to the North-east.
In the 16th Century, Spanish ships visited the Islands.
In 1595, the Spanish explorer Alvaro de Mendana de Neira wrote the first written record of an Island when he visited the Pukapuka Island (a coral atoll) , which he called "San Bernardo" (after Saint Bernard).
In 1606, a Portuguese captain engaged by the Spanish crown made the first detailed description of the Islands after he landed on Rakahanga Island which he named "Gente Hermosa" (meaning "Beautiful people").
In 1773 & 1777, a British navigator James Cook visited and named the Island of Manuae "Hervey Island".
By the 1820s, the Island Archipelago came to be known as Cook Islands in some naval charts and the name stuck ever since.
In 1888, the Cook Islands became a British Protectorate.
In 1990, the Islands were formally ceded to the British and became a part of the British dominions.
On 01.01.1949, under the British Nationality and New Zealand Citizenship Act 1948, Cook Islanders who were hitherto British citizens acquired New Zealand citizenship.
Till 1965, Cook Islands was a New Zealand dependent territory, when it was offered a self-governing status, a status which it acquired on 04.08.1965.
In 2015, the Cook Islands celebrated the Golden Jubilee of its self-governing Independence.
Present Day:
The Cook Islands is an island country in the South Pacific Ocean in free association with New Zealand, which is responsible for the Cook Island's defence and foreign affairs. The capital of the Islands is Avarua.
The Islands population is about 18,000 individuals, of which the main population of about 12,000, resides on the Island of Rarotonga, with a larger population of Cook Islanders residing in New Zealand, particularly the North Island.
The approximate break-up of the ethnic groups residing on the Island is - 81.3 % Maori, 6.7 % part-Maori and 11.9 % others. The languages spoken are English, Cook Islands Maori (or "Rarotongan" - closely related to Tahitian and to New Zealand Maori) and Pukapukan (which is closely related to Samoan).
The main economic activity of the Islands is through tourism, with offshore banking, marine and fruit exports contributing their share as well.
Circulation Coins:
The Cook Islands currency is the Dollar sub-divided into 100 Cents.
Until 1967, the New Zealand Pound was the circulating currency in the Cook Islands, when the Cook Island Dollar replaced the New Zealand Dollar as the circulating currency.
In 1972, coins specifically issued for Cook Islands were introduced into circulation.
In 1987, Banknotes specially printed for the Cook Islands were circulated in the Islands.
The minting of coins has been carried out by the Royal Australian Mint and the Perth Mint and the Franklin Mint (a private mint), while the printing of Banknotes has been carried out by the Security paper & printing major De La Rue.
The first series of circulating coins (1972 - 2010):
On the Obverses of all the coins issued in this series is depicted the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II facing left.
On the Reverse of the 1 Cent coin is depicted Taro leaf. The size of this coin is 18.0 mm and its metallic composition is Bronze.
On the Reverse of the 2 Cents coin is depicted Pineapples. The size of this coin is 21.0 mm and its metallic composition is Bronze.
On the Reverse of the 5 Cents coin is depicted a Hibiscus blossom. The size of this coin is 19.0 mm and its metallic composition is Cupro-nickel.
On the Reverse of the 10 Cents coin is depicted an Orange on a branch. The size of this coin is 24.0 mm and its metallic composition is Cupro-nickel.
On the Reverse of the 20 Cents coin is depicted a Fairy Tern. The size of this coin is 29.0 mm and its metallic composition is Cupro-nickel.
On the Reverse of the 50 Cents coin is depicted a Bonito (1972-87 and 1992) Sea Turtle (1988-1994). The size of this coin is 32.0 mm and its metallic composition is Cupro-nickel.
On the Reverse of the 1 Dollar coin is depicted a Tangaroa, Sea God in Maori Mythology. The size of this coin is 30.0 mm and its metallic composition is Cupro-nickel.
On the Reverse of the 2 Dollars coin is depicted a a Table and a water vessel. The size of this coin is 27.0 mm and its metallic composition is Cupro-nickel.
On the Reverse of the 5 Dollars coin is depicted a Conch. The size of this coin is 33.0 mm and its metallic composition is Nickel-Brass.
For many years, New Zealand coins have been used in the Cook Islands, because the Islands' coins had become scarce in circulation over a period of time.
The present circulating second series (2015 onwards):
For several years, Numismatists have been collecting non-circulating legal tender coins from the Cook Islands, issued by various private and national mints under licence from the Cook Islands authorities.
In August 2015, Cook Islands issued a new series of its own circulating coins, as part of its currency reforms, the minting of which was coordinated through the Royal Australian Mint.
This coin set of circulating coins was issued to commemorate the 50th Anniversary (Golden Jubilee) of Self-Government on 04.08.2015.
The new Cook Island circulating coins are lighter than its previous series of circulating coins which was issued in 1972.
The new Series of circulating coins (2015 - present):
The new coin designs are similar to the ones carried in the previous series and include the famous $1 coin depicting fertility statue and the triangle-shaped $2 coin.
The coins range in denomination from a 10 cent piece to the new $5 coin, which is a new denomination coin for the Cook Islands and is the highest denomination in circulation. .
In addition, collector's coin sets of the new circulating coins in limited quantities were issued in a special album for sale to collectors. The description of the collector's/circulating coins is as under:
On the Obverses of the six denominations issued in this series of circulating coins is depicted an effigy of Queen Elizabeth II , designed by Ian Rank-Broadley, whose initials "IRB" appear below the Queen's neck. Also inscribed on the Obverse faces is "ELIZABETH II and COOK ISLANDS".
On the Reverse of the 10 Cent coin is depicted oranges with leaves.
The specifications of this coin are:
Diameter/size: 19.0 mm; Weight: 2.79 grams; Shape: Round; Metallic composition: nickel-plated steel; Colour: silver; Year of issue: 2015; Minted by: Royal Australian Mint.
On the Reverse of the 20 Cent coin is depicted the Kakaia Bird (Fairy Tern).
The specifications of this coin are:
Diameter/size: 21.0 mm; Weight: 3.64 grams; Shape: Round; Metallic composition: nickel-plated steel; Colour: silver; Year of issue: 2015; Minted by: Royal Australian Mint.
On the Reverse of the 50 Cent coin is depicted the Albacore Tuna.
The specifications of this coin are:
Diameter/size: 24.2 mm; Weight: 5.47 grams; Shape: Round; Metallic composition: nickel-plated steel; Colour: silver; Year of issue: 2015; Minted by: Royal Australian Mint.
On the Reverse of the $1 coin is depicted the very well endowed fertility god Tangaroa, God of the Sea.
The specifications of this coin are:
Diameter/size: 28.52 mm; Weight: 10.86 grams; Shape: Scallop; Metallic composition: Aluminium-Bronze; Colour: Golden; Year of issue: 2015; Minted by: Royal Australian Mint.
A pair of two coins - the triangular $2 and the scalloped $5 coins
On the Reverse of the $2 coin is depicted the Kumete - a Traditional Food Pounding Table, which is a ceremonial mortar and pestle.
The specifications of this coin are:
Diameter/size: 23.89 mm; Weight: 7.65 grams; Shape: Triangular; Metallic composition: Aluminium-Bronze; Colour: Golden; Year of issue: 2015; Minted by: Royal Australian Mint.
The Reverse of the $5 coin depicts a likeness of the Marumaru Atua, a traditional sailing boat, known as a "Vaka", which is a traditional double-hulled sailing ship, sailing across the open seas under full sail navigating under the three major star constellations, the Pleiades (Matariki), Taurus (Taumata Kuku) and Orion (Tautoru). These constellations had guided the Cook Island sea travellers to navigate their journeys through the seas for centuries.
The twelve-sided 5 Dollar coin was released in Rarotonga on 26.05.2015 during the Te Manava Vaka festival.
The Te Manava Vaka festival saw five vaka moana (traditional boats) converge in Rarotonga from all parts of the Pacific as part of the annual celebrations of the Cook Islands 50 years of self governance.
The specifications of this coin are:
Diameter/size: 28.75 mm; Weight: 11.30 grams; Shape: 12-Sided; Metallic composition: Aluminium Bronze; Colour: Golden; Year of issue: 2015; Minted by: Royal Australian Mint. Designers:The coin was designed in coordination with the Cook Islands Voyaging Society.
The presently circulating/old Cook Island coins were demonetised and ceased to be legal tender on 31.01.2016.
The Coat of Arms of the Cook Islands:
The Coat of Arms of the Cook Islands has a shield as its focal point.
The shield is blue with 15 white stars arranged in a circle as seen on the National flag.
The supporters are a Flying Fish (maroro) and a white tern (kakaia).
The helmet is an Ariki head-dress (pare kura) of red feathers, symbolising the importance of the traditional rank system and the name of the country "COOK ISLANDS" on a scroll/lemniscate below the shield.
The achievement is augmented by a cross and a Rarotongan club (momore taringavaru) used by orators during traditional discourses and the richness of Cook Islands' tradition, placed in saltire behind the shield
(The above coin set issued by the Royal Australian Mint on behalf of the Cook Islands, is from the Collection on Jayant Biswas which he has procured from the Cook Islands itself. Post researched and written by Rajeev Prasad)
Links to Posts on Australia, New Zealand and countries and Overseas Territories of the South Pacific on this blog:
1) Bank of Papua New Guinea: 36th Anniversary Celebrations (1973-2008): A Commemorative Uncirculated Coin Set consisting of a 2 Kina Banknote & a 2 Kina Coin
2) Papua New Guinea: An uncirculated coin set brought out in 1995 commemorating the 20th Anniversary of Independence
3) Currency & Coinage of the Solomon Islands: Dollars and Cents
4) New Zealand: New Banknote "Seventh Series" issued under Project "Brighter Money" from 2015 onwards
5) Coinage of the French Polynesian Island of Caledonia (or Nouvelle Caledonie) the CFP Franc
6) French Institution for issuing uniform currency/coinage for French Overseas Territories in the Pacific and the French Southern Territories of Antarctica: The Institut d'emmission d'outre Mer (IEOM)
7) Currency & Coinage of Samoa: Tala and Sene
8) Currency of the South Pacific Island Country of Fiji
9) Coinage of New Zealand: A commemorative coin set issued in 1979
10) Currency and Coinage of Australia: Dollars and Cents
11) The Australian Emblem or the Coat of Arms
12) The story of the Australian Penny
13) The Legend of the Mutiny on the Bounty: A Commemorative Coin Set from the Pitcairn Islands depicting relics from the Bounty issued in 2009
14) An Australian $5 coin issued in 1996, commemorating Australia's greatest cricketing legend - Sir Donald Bradman
15) New Series/Generation of Australian Banknotes being introduced from 01.09.2016 onwards starting from $5 issues
16) Southern Lights: A $1 Silver holographic coin issued by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand in January 2017
17) Currency & coinage of the Kingdom of Tonga : Pa'anga & Seniti
18) Postage Stamps & Coin: Commemorating the Centenary of the Trans-Australian Railway Line stamps issued by Australia Post & coins by Perth Mint on 04.07.2017
Links to posts on issues from the Republic of Palau:
5) Republic of Palau issues "Sand Dollars": Silver & Gold 1$ coins
The Coat of Arms of the Cook Islands:
The Coat of Arms of the Cook Islands has a shield as its focal point.
The shield is blue with 15 white stars arranged in a circle as seen on the National flag.
The supporters are a Flying Fish (maroro) and a white tern (kakaia).
The helmet is an Ariki head-dress (pare kura) of red feathers, symbolising the importance of the traditional rank system and the name of the country "COOK ISLANDS" on a scroll/lemniscate below the shield.
The achievement is augmented by a cross and a Rarotongan club (momore taringavaru) used by orators during traditional discourses and the richness of Cook Islands' tradition, placed in saltire behind the shield
(The above coin set issued by the Royal Australian Mint on behalf of the Cook Islands, is from the Collection on Jayant Biswas which he has procured from the Cook Islands itself. Post researched and written by Rajeev Prasad)
Links to Posts on Australia, New Zealand and countries and Overseas Territories of the South Pacific on this blog:
1) Bank of Papua New Guinea: 36th Anniversary Celebrations (1973-2008): A Commemorative Uncirculated Coin Set consisting of a 2 Kina Banknote & a 2 Kina Coin
2) Papua New Guinea: An uncirculated coin set brought out in 1995 commemorating the 20th Anniversary of Independence
3) Currency & Coinage of the Solomon Islands: Dollars and Cents
4) New Zealand: New Banknote "Seventh Series" issued under Project "Brighter Money" from 2015 onwards
5) Coinage of the French Polynesian Island of Caledonia (or Nouvelle Caledonie) the CFP Franc
6) French Institution for issuing uniform currency/coinage for French Overseas Territories in the Pacific and the French Southern Territories of Antarctica: The Institut d'emmission d'outre Mer (IEOM)
7) Currency & Coinage of Samoa: Tala and Sene
8) Currency of the South Pacific Island Country of Fiji
9) Coinage of New Zealand: A commemorative coin set issued in 1979
10) Currency and Coinage of Australia: Dollars and Cents
11) The Australian Emblem or the Coat of Arms
12) The story of the Australian Penny
13) The Legend of the Mutiny on the Bounty: A Commemorative Coin Set from the Pitcairn Islands depicting relics from the Bounty issued in 2009
14) An Australian $5 coin issued in 1996, commemorating Australia's greatest cricketing legend - Sir Donald Bradman
15) New Series/Generation of Australian Banknotes being introduced from 01.09.2016 onwards starting from $5 issues
16) Southern Lights: A $1 Silver holographic coin issued by the Reserve Bank of New Zealand in January 2017
17) Currency & coinage of the Kingdom of Tonga : Pa'anga & Seniti
18) Postage Stamps & Coin: Commemorating the Centenary of the Trans-Australian Railway Line stamps issued by Australia Post & coins by Perth Mint on 04.07.2017
19) Cook Islands: Commemorating 50 Years of Self Governance (1965-2015): A circulation coin set ossued by the Royal Australian Mint in 2015:
Links to interesting posts on coins from Tuvalu Islands:
1)Famous Pirates of the Caribbean :2) Edward Teach or "BlackBeard"
2)Famous Pirates of the Caribbean: 3)Bartholomew Roberts or Black Bart Roberts
3)Famous Pirates of the Caribbean:4)Jack Rackham
4)Famous-pirates-of- the Caribbean : 5) Henry Avery
5)Famous Pirates of the Caribbean : 6) Sir Henry Morgan
6)Norse Goddess Freya - a Silver 2 Dollars High Relief antiquated Coin , the first in the Series titled "Norse Goddesses" (2017)
Other interesting links to posts from Cook Islands minted by Coin Invest Trust:
1) Brexit : Britain's exit from the EEC : Coins issued by the Cook islands in the denomination of $1, $5 and $ 20 in 2016
2) 150th Anniversary of "The Great Tea Race - 1866": Commemorative Coins in the denomination of 10 and 2 Dollars issued by Cook Islands in 2016
3) The Mystical Ancient Egyptian Labyrinth depicted on $10 Silver coins issued by Cook islands in 2016, under its "Milestones of Mankind Series".
4) King Arthur: The first coin in the six coins "Camelot Series".
5) Quilling Art: Silver 2 Dollars coins issued - Flowers (2016) & Bird (2017)
6) Queen Guinevere: The second coin in the six coin "Camelot Series".
Links to interesting posts on coins from Tuvalu Islands:
1)Famous Pirates of the Caribbean :2) Edward Teach or "BlackBeard"
2)Famous Pirates of the Caribbean: 3)Bartholomew Roberts or Black Bart Roberts
3)Famous Pirates of the Caribbean:4)Jack Rackham
4)Famous-pirates-of- the Caribbean : 5) Henry Avery
5)Famous Pirates of the Caribbean : 6) Sir Henry Morgan
6)Norse Goddess Freya - a Silver 2 Dollars High Relief antiquated Coin , the first in the Series titled "Norse Goddesses" (2017)
Other interesting links to posts from Cook Islands minted by Coin Invest Trust:
1) Brexit : Britain's exit from the EEC : Coins issued by the Cook islands in the denomination of $1, $5 and $ 20 in 2016
2) 150th Anniversary of "The Great Tea Race - 1866": Commemorative Coins in the denomination of 10 and 2 Dollars issued by Cook Islands in 2016
3) The Mystical Ancient Egyptian Labyrinth depicted on $10 Silver coins issued by Cook islands in 2016, under its "Milestones of Mankind Series".
4) King Arthur: The first coin in the six coins "Camelot Series".
5) Quilling Art: Silver 2 Dollars coins issued - Flowers (2016) & Bird (2017)
6) Queen Guinevere: The second coin in the six coin "Camelot Series".
Links to posts on issues from the Republic of Palau:
5) Republic of Palau issues "Sand Dollars": Silver & Gold 1$ coins
