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50 Cents - Elizabeth II Royal Artillery
| Issuer | Cook Islands |
|---|---|
| Year | 2003 |
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| Currency | Dollar (1972-date) |
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| Obverse description | Right-facing crowned effigy of Queen Elizabeth II, wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland tiara and a pearl drop earring, rendered in the third definitive portrait by Raphael David Maklouf. The legend ELIZABETH II arcs along the left periphery and COOK ISLANDS along the right, with the date 2003 positioned in the lower exergue. The initials RDM, denoting the engraver, appear truncated below the portrait. |
|---|---|
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| Obverse lettering | ELIZABETH II COOK ISLANDS RDM 2003 |
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| Additional information |
Cook Islands issued a long-running series of commemorative 50-cent pieces in the early 2000s under royal warrant, many tied to British regimental histories with no direct connection to the islands themselves. The Royal Artillery, founded by royal warrant in 1716 under George I, is the oldest surviving regiment in the British Army with continuous service — a distinction that has made it a recurring subject for Commonwealth commemorative issues.
Struck in copper-nickel at 28 grams, this piece circulated nominally but was produced primarily for the collector market, consistent with Cook Islands' mint program throughout this period.