Palau has operated a prolific commemorative dollar program since the 1990s, licensing its issuing authority to produce collector pieces with no genuine circulation intent. This John Paul II issue appeared three years after his 2005 beatification process opened under Benedict XVI, placing it squarely in the commercial wave of papal memorabilia that followed his death — a market Palau's program was well positioned to exploit.
Palau has operated a prolific commemorative dollar program since the 1990s, licensing its issuing authority to produce collector pieces with no genuine circulation intent. This John Paul II issue appeared three years after his 2005 beatification process opened under Benedict XVI, placing it squarely in the commercial wave of papal memorabilia that followed his death — a market Palau's program was well positioned to exploit.