1 Dollar - Elizabeth II Laika

Laika, the Soviet stray dog launched aboard Sputnik 2 in November 1957, was never intended to return. Soviet authorities initially claimed she survived for several days; the truth — that she died within hours from overheating due to a thermal control failure — wasn't officially acknowledged until 2002. This coin is one of dozens issued under Niue's broad licensing arrangements, which allow the small Pacific territory to generate revenue by lending its legal tender status to commemorative programs with no direct connection to the island.