50 Cents - Elizabeth II Year of the Monkey

Cook Islands has issued commemorative coinage under New Zealand's monetary framework since the early 1970s, with many issues targeted squarely at the collector market rather than circulation. The 2004 Lunar New Year series falls firmly into that category — produced for the Year of the Monkey, the ninth animal in the twelve-year cycle, which began February 22, 2004.

The copper-nickel composition at this weight mirrors the standard used for many Pacific island commemoratives of the period, sourced through contracted mints rather than any domestic facility.