Brief Cook Islands History
The Cook Islands are a bunch of islands in the South Pacific ocean only 2,000 miles to the north west of New Zealand. With an area of only 93 square miles and a population of 17,000; one of its main industries appears to be producing commemorative coins for collectors. Its capital is Avarua, and there are probably less than 17,000 people outside the Islands who know that. Four of its islands are claimed by the USA, but as the C.I.A. website lists no current international disputes, it appears unlikely that hostilities will occur in the foreseeable future.
The Islands were discovered by the Portuguese navigator Alvaro de Mendada in 1595, English navigator James Cook visited the Islands on three occasions between 1773 and 1777. They were declared a British protectorate in 1888, and were annexed to New Zealand in 1901, and granted internal self-government in 1965, apparently they made a pig's ear of it, and are heavily subsidised by New Zealand.

Cook Islands Coinage
Although Cook Islands do issue its own circulation coins, all its gold coins are commemorative issues, mainly proofs. Most of them are very attractive although there is a series of very small gold coins, which means you would need a magnifying glass to fully appreciate their beauty.

Technical Specifications

Denomination	Diameter	Weight	Fineness	Gold Content
50 Dollars	25	7.7500	.5833	.1458
20 Dollars	25	7.7500	.5833	.1458
10 Dollars	13.97*	1.2440	.9999	0.0400
1 Dollar			.9999

Notes on Table
Diameter = Diameter in millimetres.
Weight = Gross weight in grams.
Fineness = purity of gold alloy.
Gold Content = Actual gold content in troy ounces.

Prices & Availability
Many denominations have been made in a variety of different specifications.

Date	Denomination	Description	Grade	Mintage	Availability	Price £	Price $
1990	$250	Save the Children Fund	Proof	3,000	Yes	£ See Page	$ See Page
1995	$50	The Queen Mother as the Duchess of York in 1936 with Her Two Daughters	Proof	5,000	Yes	£65	$100
2002	$20	Golden Jubilee, Street Parties	Proof	2,000	Yes	£85	$170
2006	10 Dollars	Lost Dutchman Mine, World's Finest Miniatures Collection	Proof, FDC	15,000	Yes	£29.95	$59.95
2006	1 Dollar	Henry VIII at Hampton Court Palace, World's Finest Miniatures Collection	Proof, FDC	20,000	Yes	£29.95	$59.95

Postage & Packing
UK Registered Post (Special Delivery) £6 per order
EU Insured Post £10 per order
USA Airmail $10 per order
USA Insured Shipping $20 per order

Cook Islands Silver and Base Metal Coins
For silver and base metal coins of Cook Islands, please look at our original Chard Coins website.

Coins Wanted
We make an active market in almost all world coins, gold or otherwise, including Cook Islands gold coins. If you have any of these coins to sell, please contact us, or post them to us for appraisal and offer.