Cook Islands 1997 500 dollars

Ponterio sale 168, lot 50064

photo courtesy Stack's-Bowers LLC

This specimen was lot 50064 in Ponterio sale 168 (Philadelphia, August 2012), where it sold for $676. The catalog description^[1] noted, "COOK ISLANDS. 500 Dollars, 1997. NGC PROOF-68 ULTRA CAMEO. Two of Magellan's ships. Struck in platinum. From a mintage of only 1,000 pieces." The SCWC lists this issue for 1995 only but this specimen is clearly dated 1997; either the SCWC erred or two issues exist. The Cook Islands, like many small, impoverished nations, has contracted with private mints to produce and market a large variety of commemoratives sold in lands far from the issuing country. Magellan is somewhat relevant but other issues honor Garfield the cat and Mickey Mouse.

Recorded mintage: 1,000.

Specification: 14.74 g, 0.999 fine platinum, .473 oz APW, 25.8 mm diameter.

Catalog reference: Fr-76; KM-415.

Source:

• Friedberg, Arthur L. and Ira S. Friedberg, Gold Coins of the World, From Ancient Times to the Present, 9th ed., Clifton, NJ: Coin and Currency Institute, 2017.
• Michael, Thomas, and Tracy L. Schmidt, Standard Catalog of World Coins, 1901-2000, 47th ed., Iola, WI: Krause Publications, 2019.
• ^[1]Ponterio, Richard, Ponterio sale 168: The Official ANA Auction, Irvine, CA: Stack's Bowers LLC, 2012.

Link to:

• Fiji 1975 100 dollars
• Cook Islands 1975 100 dollars
• Cook Islands 1983 2 cents
• 1996 250 dollars, Yellowstone National Park
• Cook Islands 2003 200 dollars
• Coins and currency dated 1997
• return to Cook Islands