1/2 Dollar - Elizabeth II HMS Discovery Captain James Cook

Nauru's relationship with commemorative silver issues is almost entirely economic rather than historical — the island has no meaningful connection to Cook's voyages, and HMS Discovery was the consort vessel on Cook's third and final expedition, during which he was killed at Kealakekua Bay in February 1779. Discovery returned to England without him, completing the voyage under Charles Clerke and then John Gore. Nauru has issued dozens of such topical pieces under licensing arrangements that treat the island's sovereign minting authority as a revenue instrument.