Cook Islands has issued commemorative five-dollar pieces under its own authority since the 1970s, a right derived from its status as a self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand. The "Tender Love" issue belongs to a period when the mint trade — primarily the Berne-based PAMP and various Austrian and Polish facilities — was aggressively producing themed silver rounds for the collector gift market under Pacific island issuing authorities, Cook Islands chief among them.
KM#731 is one of dozens of topical releases from that year alone. Actual circulation on Rarotonga was never the point.
Cook Islands has issued commemorative five-dollar pieces under its own authority since the 1970s, a right derived from its status as a self-governing territory in free association with New Zealand. The "Tender Love" issue belongs to a period when the mint trade — primarily the Berne-based PAMP and various Austrian and Polish facilities — was aggressively producing themed silver rounds for the collector gift market under Pacific island issuing authorities, Cook Islands chief among them.
KM#731 is one of dozens of topical releases from that year alone. Actual circulation on Rarotonga was never the point.