The South Pacific nation of the Cook Islands will launch their new $3 banknote on 3rd August 2021 during Constitution week celebrations. This replaces the previous design which was first issued in 1987. The $3 is the only note issued by the MFEM (Ministry of Finance and Economic Management), which co-circulates with the New Zealand Dollar.
The new $3 reimagines the iconic image of the legend of Ina and the Shark on the front, with the reverse featuring a Cook Island carving of Tangaroa (God of the sea) and a man and his canoe enjoying a sunrise in the tranquillity of the beautiful waters surrounding the Cook Islands.
The note is printed on De La Rue’s SAFEGUARD® polymer substrate and incorporates security features including a see-through polymer window, micro text and, on the reverse of the note, Enhanced GEMINI® is hidden behind the statue of Tangaroa, revealing the denomination and additional details under UV light.
Prime Minister the Hon. Mark Brown: “With our new $3 note, you will hold in your hands a unique piece of Cook Islands history. We are pleased to have our much sought after $3 note re-imagined on De La Rue’s polymer substrate. The iconic image of Ina and the Shark has long been a part of Cook Islands folklore and legend, and I am delighted with the design of the new note."
Ruth Euling, Executive Director and Managing Director, Currency said "We are thrilled to share the excitement of the upcoming launch of the new Cook Islands $3 which beautifully captures a famous legend in the banknote design. It has been an honour and privilege to work with the Cook Islands Ministry of Finance and Economic Management on this unique project. We hope the people of the Cook Islands will love their newest banknote when it is released and can soon share it with visitors to the islands from all over the world."
The Cook Island $3 will be the 61st circulating banknote on SAFEGUARD® polymer substrate since SAFEGUARD® was first used by Fiji in 2013.
For more information please email currency@delarue.com