This dollar launched the Cook Islands’ own coinage in 1972: it entered circulation together with bronze 1 and 2 cents and cupronickel pieces from 5 to 50 cents, each showing something of the islands. The largest denomination received the strongest image of all — Tangaroa, the sea god of Māori mythology.

The carved figure of the god stands within a ring of fifteen stars, one for each island of the archipelago, flanked by «$1» marks. The reverse is the work of James Berry, whose initials JB appear in the field. The obverse carries Arnold Machin’s portrait of Elizabeth II.

In 1972, 31,000 of these dollars were struck for circulation, with another 17,000 issued in proof for collectors. The type ran until 1983, and on 30 April 2016 all coins of the old designs lost their legal tender status.

As the first year of the type, it opens a date run of Cook Islands dollars and fits naturally into a collection on Oceanian mythology. The AU-UNC grade sits between aUNC and UNC: there are virtually no signs of circulation, only the faintest rub may show on the highest points of the relief, and the lustre is retained.

This coin is one of the items in the VPcoins catalogue, which brings together commemorative, circulation and bullion coins from around the world.