Coin of the Week: 1983 Cook Islands 50 Cents

Obverse (Image: Queen Elizabeth II)

 Reverse (Image: Bonito)

The Cook Islands are composed of 15 islands in the South Pacific. The country is a self-governing democracy in free association with New Zealand. Although discovered by the Spanish explorer Alvaro de Mendana in 1595, the islands were more or less ignored until rediscovered by their namesake, Captain James Cook in 1773. The indigenous population, the Maoris, are believed to have lived on the islands for more than 1,000 years.

The currency of the Cook Islands is the dollar, with 100 cents equaling 1 dollar. As a member of the British Commonwealth, Cook Island coins portray Queen Elizabeth II on the obverse. The reverse of the 50-cent coin depicts the bonito, a type of tuna important in the diets of the islanders. For more information on the bonito, including fishing and cooking tips, click here.