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1 Dollar - Elizabeth II Aquarius Gemstone
| Issuer | Cook Islands |
|---|---|
| Year | 2003 |
| Type | Log in to see details |
| Value | 1 Dollar |
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| Composition | Log in to see details |
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| Obverse description | The obverse features the right-facing crowned effigy of Queen Elizabeth II at the top of the field, rendered in fine relief against a deeply contrasting black enamelled background. Encircling the effigy, the legend 'ELIZABETH II' arcs to the left and 'COOK ISLANDS' arcs to the right, with the denomination 'ONE DOLLAR' inscribed along the lower arc, all separated by raised dot stops. A concentric decorative border of fine beading frames the entire design. At the centre of the coin sits a raised circular medallion bearing an intricate guilloche-style lattice pattern, serving as the gemstone capsule housing on the reverse side. |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
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| Additional information |
Part of a twelve-piece zodiac series released by Cook Islands in 2003, this issue belongs to a wave of novelty collector coins that flooded the Pacific island issuer market in the early 2000s. Cook Islands had by then become a reliable vehicle for third-party minting operations — primarily European firms — targeting the themed bullion gift market rather than any domestic monetary purpose. The embedded garnets are genuine, though their inclusion required custom capsule dies and individual stone-setting, driving production costs well above face value from the outset.