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2 Dollars - Elizabeth II 1931 Matchless Silver Hawk
| Issuer | Cook Islands |
|---|---|
| Year | 2007 |
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| Reference(s) | KM#517 |
| Obverse description | Right-facing crowned effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, as modelled by Raphael David Maklouf, wearing the George IV State Diadem and a pearl drop earring, with a draped neckline. The portrait is set within a polished inner field, surrounded by a beaded border. The legend ELIZABETH II · TWO DOLLARS · COOK ISLANDS is arranged around the upper periphery, with the date 2007 inscribed at the base. |
|---|---|
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| Reverse description | A full-color photographic rendering of the iconic 1931 Matchless Silver Hawk motorcycle is depicted in the central field, shown in right-facing profile against a light background, with intricate mechanical detail including spoke wheels, exposed engine, and period-correct bodywork. Below the motorcycle, the Matchless winged 'M' brand logo is reproduced in color within a circular badge. The upper legend reads GREAT MOTORCYCLES of the 30's in a banner, while the lower legend 1931 MATCHLESS SILVER HAWK runs along the base. The rim is decorated with an alternating star-and-lightning-bolt border pattern. |
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| Additional information |
The "1931 Matchless Silver Hawk" commemorates the Supermarine S.6, the British seaplane that won the Schneider Trophy race that year at a speed exceeding 340 mph — a record that directly informed the aerodynamic calculations behind the Spitfire's elliptical wing design. Reginald Mitchell engineered both aircraft, and the S.6's Rolls-Royce engine program was the direct predecessor to the Merlin.
Cook Islands became a prolific vehicle for themed bullion issues in the 2000s through licensing arrangements that kept production costs low while allowing private mints to reach collectors under a legitimate sovereign issuer. KM#517 is one of dozens of such issues from this period.