Catalog
5 Dollars - Elizabeth II Atiu Swiftlet
| Issuer | Cook Islands |
|---|---|
| Year | 1977 |
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| Reference(s) | KM#17 |
| Obverse description | Log in to see details |
|---|---|
| Obverse script | Latin |
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| Reverse description | The reverse features a dynamic naturalistic composition by George James Berry depicting multiple Atiu Swiftlets (Aerodramus sawtelli) in flight across an open field. A large, prominently rendered swiftlet dominates the centre of the design with wings fully extended, while several smaller birds of the same species are shown in various attitudes of flight around it, conveying a sense of movement and aerial freedom. A border of small five-pointed stars encircles the scene along the inner periphery. The denomination legend FIVE DOLLARS is inscribed along the lower arc, and the engraver's initials appear in the left field near the rim. |
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| Additional information |
Atiu, one of the smaller makatea islands of the Cook Islands group, is home to a cave-dwelling subspecies of swiftlet found nowhere else on earth. The 1977 issue commemorating it appeared the same year the Cook Islands were deepening their self-governance arrangements with New Zealand, and the government leaned heavily into wildlife conservation themes as a form of distinct national identity — producing a run of WWF-linked fauna coins that remain the most coherent numismatic program the islands have issued.
The .500 fine silver specification was common to this Cook Islands WWF series, distinguishing it from the sterling issues of comparable Commonwealth commemoratives of the decade.