Issued under Cook Islands' long-running licensing arrangement that allows private minting companies — primarily New Zealand-based firms working with the government — to produce commemorative silver rounds in legal-tender denominations, this piece honors Alexander Ovechkin at a point when his pursuit of Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL goals record had become the sport's dominant narrative. The Washington Capitals had not yet won the Stanley Cup; that came in 2018, the year after this coin was struck.
Issued under Cook Islands' long-running licensing arrangement that allows private minting companies — primarily New Zealand-based firms working with the government — to produce commemorative silver rounds in legal-tender denominations, this piece honors Alexander Ovechkin at a point when his pursuit of Wayne Gretzky's all-time NHL goals record had become the sport's dominant narrative. The Washington Capitals had not yet won the Stanley Cup; that came in 2018, the year after this coin was struck.