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SOUVENIR COINS OF NIUE
Niue is an island nation in the South Pacific Ocean. It is commonly known as the 'Rock of Polynesia', and inhabitants of the island call it "the Rock" for short. Niue is 2,400 kilometres ( northeast of New Zealand in a triangle between Tonga to the southwest, the Samoas to the northwest, and the Cook Islands to the southeast.
The first European to sight Niue was Captain James Cook in 1774. Cook made three attempts to land on the island but was refused permission to do so by the Polynesian inhabitants. He named the island 'Savage Island'.
Niue was a British protectorate for a time, but the UK's direct involvement ended in 1901 when New Zealand annexed the island. Independence in the form of self-government was granted by the New Zealand parliament with the 1974 constitution, following a referendum in Niue in 1974 whereby Niueans were given 3 options: independence, self-government or continue as a New Zealand territory. Though self governing, Niue is in free association with New Zealand, and lacks full sovereignty. Queen Elizabeth II is Niue's head of state. Most diplomatic relations are conducted by New Zealand on Niue's behalf.
In 2003, Niue became the world's first "WiFi nation", in which free wireless Internet access is provided throughout the country.
Niue first began issuing coins in 1966, though these have been mostly bullion and non-circulating base metal commemorative issues. For all practical purposes the Niue dollar is not a true currency, and was never intended to be an official circulating coinage, however, they are acceptable as legal tender within Niue.
In 2009, Niue began issuing its first standard five coin set in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50 cent and 1 Dollar. In the set, released in 2010, the 1 Dollar coin has a new design, featuring a native plant instead of a sword-fish.

10.04. 2011.

Click to enlarge!	Denomination: 5 Cents Year: 2010 Material: Copper Description: Obverse: In the center there is a portrait of the Queen Elizabeth II. Secular inscription: ELIZABETH II – NIUE ISLAND, beneath – year of issue: 2010. On the edge of coin – diamond-shaped ornament. Reverse: In the center – image of a pair of humpback whales, above – inscription: NIUE, beneath – face value in two lines: 5 CENTS. On the edge of coin – diamond-shaped ornament. Diameter – 19 mm., weight – 4.58 g., thickness – 2 mm., edge – plain. Country or town: Niue
Click to enlarge!	Denomination: 10 Cents Year: 2010 Material: Copper Description: Obverse: In the center there is a portrait of the Queen Elizabeth II. Secular inscription: ELIZABETH II – NIUE ISLAND, beneath – year of issue: 2010. On the edge of coin – diamond-shaped ornament. Reverse: In the center – image of a crab, above – inscription: NIUE and figure '10', beneath: CENTS. On the edge of coin – diamond-shaped ornament. Diameter – 22 mm., weight – 6.15 g., thickness – 2.1 mm., edge – milled. Country or town: Niue
Click to enlarge!	Denomination: 20 Cents Year: 2010 Material: Nickel plated Bronze Description: Obverse: In the center there is a portrait of the Queen Elizabeth II. Secular inscription: ELIZABETH II – NIUE ISLAND, beneath – year of issue: 2010. On the edge of coin – diamond-shaped ornament. Reverse: In the center – image of a pair of scuba divers exploring coral atolls, above – inscription: NIUE, beneath – face value in two lines: 20 CENTS. On the edge of coin – diamond-shaped ornament. Diameter – 25 mm., weight – 7.74 g., thickness – 2.0 mm., edge – plain. Country or town: Niue
Click to enlarge!	Denomination: 50 Cents Year: 2010 Material: Nickel plated Bronze Description: Obverse: In the center there is a portrait of the Queen Elizabeth II. Secular inscription: ELIZABETH II – NIUE ISLAND, beneath – year of issue: 2010. On the edge of coin – diamond-shaped ornament. Reverse: In the center – image of a native outrigger canoe, above – inscription: NIUE and figure '50', beneath: CENTS. On the edge of coin – diamond-shaped ornament. Diameter – 28 mm., weight – 9.88 g., thickness – 2.0 mm., edge – segmented reeding. Country or town: Niue
Click to enlarge!	Denomination: 1 Dollar Year: 2010 Material: Brass plated Bronze Description: Obverse: In the center there is a portrait of the Queen Elizabeth II. Secular inscription: ELIZABETH II – NIUE ISLAND, beneath – year of issue: 2010. On the edge of coin – diamond-shaped ornament. Reverse: In the center – image of native plants, above – inscription: NIUE, beneath – face value in one line: 1 DOLLAR. On the edge of coin – diamond-shaped ornament. Diameter – 32 mm., weight – 16.88 g., thickness – 2.8 mm., edge – milled. Country or town: Niue

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