Coin
5 Dollars - Elizabeth II Egg-Beauty in Red (2013) — Cook Islands
Cook Islands • 2013 • KM# 1660
Overview
A .999 silver 5 Dollars non-circulating Proof coin from the Cook Islands, minted in 2013 with a limited mintage of 2,500 pieces. The obverse features a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II along with lettering. This oval-shaped coin weighs 20g and was produced utilizing milled and coloured techniques.
Specifications
- Country
- Cook Islands
- Year
- 2013
- Composition
- Silver (.999)
- Weight
- 20 g
- Shape
- Oval
- Technique
- Milled, Coloured
- References
- KM# 1660
- Issuer
- Cook Islands
Design details
Obverse
Queen Elizabeth II Script: Latin Lettering: ELIZABETH II COOK ISLANDS IRB 5 DOLLARS 2013 Engraver: Ian Rank-Broadley
Collector insights
- Design heritage: Ian Rank-Broadley is credited as the designer for the Non-circulating coins series. Designer attribution helps distinguish this issue from later restrikes or unofficial copies that reuse only the motif.
- Low mintage: Only 2,500 pieces reported. This puts the issue into key-date territory for its series; expect steep grade-based price scaling and a higher counterfeit risk — provenance and third-party grading matter.
- Precious metal content: Silver (.999) — bullion value provides a price floor, and many circulated examples were melted during the 1979–1980 and post-2010 silver spikes, reducing the surviving population.
- Catalogue reference: Listed as
KM# 1660. Use this reference code when cross-checking auction archives, dealer inventories, and standard printed catalogues.
Curator Insights
Historical context
Issued in 2013, this non-circulating commemorative piece was produced for the Cook Islands as part of a specialized numismatic series focusing on decorative arts. During this period, the Cook Islands frequently utilized its legal tender status to release high-fineness silver coins targeting international collectors. This specific issue represents a fusion of traditional currency and the aesthetic traditions of jeweled art pieces.
Design heritage
The obverse features the fourth definitive portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, a design created by Ian Rank-Broadley who is also well-known for his work on British circulating coinage. The oval shape departs from standard circular minting to accommodate the 'Egg-Beauty' aesthetic, featuring an application of color on the silver surface. The reverse imagery is designed to emulate the intricate patterns associated with historical royal jewelry and decorative eggs.
Varieties and technical notes
This issue was produced using a proof technique which includes frosted elements against mirrored fields to enhance the colored details. Collectors should inspect the oval edges for uniform milling and check the color application for any signs of chipping or misalignment peculiar to technical colored strikes. As a dedicated numismatic release, these were typically issued in specialized presentation packaging which is considered essential for the set's integrity.
Survival and modern availability
With a strictly limited mintage of 2,500 pieces, this coin was never intended for general circulation and remains primarily in the secondary collector market. Its high silver purity of 99.9% makes it susceptible to toning if not kept in its original protective capsule. Survival rates are generally high due to its status as a 20-gram silver bullion-based commemorative, though complete sets with original certificates of authenticity are more difficult to locate.
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Explore more
Browse more items in the full catalog or view Cook Islands in the country guide.