Cabinet of Curiosities - Day 21

Today we have a coin - the curiously-shaped Cook Islands One Dollar. 

The Cook Islands, as far as I know, are the only country that produces coins and banknotes featuring the late Queen Elizabeth II and a chap flashing his John Thomas.

The Cook Islands (Kūki 'Āirani) is a self-governing island country in the South Pacific near New Zealand. It comprises 15 islands whose total land area is just under 100 square miles. It is, I believe, unique in that there are more Cook Islanders living abroad (80,000 in New Zealand and 15,000 in Australia alone) than actually in their home country (pop. 17,500). The largest island of Rarotonga (where 13,000 live) is the administrative centre. Its currency is produced by the Royal Australian Mint and has one of the few triangular coins - the $2 piece.

Meanwhile, on the reverse of the $1 coin, is Tangaroa - Māori god of the sea - who is depicted showing off his tackle.

But not his fishing tackle.   

Every day is a school day on this blog.