1 Dollar - Elizabeth II 1st Anniversary of the euro

The euro entered circulation on 1 January 2002, replacing the legacy currencies of twelve eurozone members simultaneously — the largest monetary changeover in history by population affected. Cook Islands, a self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand, had no stake in that transition but had long operated a cottage industry of commemorative dollar issues targeting the collector market rather than circulation.

KM#467 is one of dozens of such topical pieces issued through licensing arrangements common among Pacific island jurisdictions in this period.