Cook Islands, a self-governing dependency of New Zealand consisting of 15 islands, is located in the South Pacific Ocean about 2,000 miles (3,218 km.) northeast of New Zealand. It has an area of 93 sq. mi. (234 sq. km.) and a population of 17,185. Capital: Avarua. The United States claims the islands of Danger, Manahiki, Penrhyn, and Rakahanga atolls. Citrus and canned fruits and juices, copra, clothing, jewelry, and mother-of-pearl shell are exported.
   Spanish navigator Alvaro de Mendada first sighted the islands in 1595. Portuguese navigator Pedro Fernandes de Quieros landed on Rakahanga in 1606. English navigator Capt. James Cook sailed to the islands on three occasions: 1773, 1774 and 1777. He named them Hervey Islands, in honor of Augustus John Hervey, a lord of the Admiralty. The islands were declared a British protectorate in 1888, and were annexed to New Zealand in 1901. They were granted internal self-government in 1965. New Zealand provides an annual subsidy and retains responsibility for defense and foreign affairs.

RULER
British

MINT MARKS
(b) – British Royal Mint
FM – Franklin Mint, U.S.A. *
PM – Pobjoy Mint
   *NOTE: From 1975-1985 the Franklin Mint produced coinage
in up to three different qualities. Qualities of issue are designated
in () after each date and are defined as follows:
   (M) MATTE - Normal circulation strike or a dull finish produced
by sandblasting special uncirculated (polish finish) or
proof quality dies.
   (U) SPECIAL UNCIRCULATED – Polished or proof-like in
appearance without any frosted features.
   (P) PROOF – The highest quality obtainable having mirrorlike
fields and frosted features.

MONETARY SYSTEM
(Until 1967)
12 Pence = 1 Shilling
20 Shillings = 1 Pound
(Commencing 1967)
100 Cents = 1 Dollar

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