2 Tene - Elizabeth II 2nd portrait, James Cook

The Cook Islands gained self-governing status in free association with New Zealand in 1965, but a distinct national coinage didn't arrive until 1972. This 1978 piece belongs to the second phase of that coinage program, distinguished by the transition to Arnold Machin's second effigy of Elizabeth II — the same portrait being adopted across Commonwealth territories during this period. KM#2a denotes the bronze composition variant, distinguishing it from the earlier cupro-nickel KM#2 strikes of the same type.