Aitutaki - Cook Islands

None of our explorers ever made it to Aitutaki or even the largest island in the group, Rarotonga. Cook's visits to the Cook Islands during his second and third voyages were confined to unfriendly meetings with the peoples of other southern islands, such as Mangaia, Atiu and Manuae. It was William Bligh in 1789, who, having sailed with Cook ten years earlier, was the first European to visit Aitutaki. The mutiny on his ship, the Bounty happened shortly after his visit.

Aitutaki first showed Cook on two of the 1920 Definitives. Stamps with similar designs were also released for Niue, Penrhyn and Rarotonga. Cook and the Resolution were next shown in 1974, when they appeared on a couple of stamps mainly depicting Bligh's Discovery of the island. The bicentenaries of the Discovery of Hawaii and the Death of Cook were each marked with stamps and a miniature sheet, but since then no further issues have shown Cook.

There have been a few 'stamp on stamp' issues including 'stamp-on-stamp-on-stamp' stamps in the 1979 Rowland Hill and 1984 Ausipex sets.

Aitutaki	23/08/1920	Definitives (unwatermarked) 6v The ½d stamp shows a scene of Captain Cook landing in the Cook Islands. A watermarked version was later released (01/05/1927). The 1½d stamp shows the 'Dance' portrait of Cook. The ½d stamp was featured on the 50c stamp of the 1974 UPU Centenary set, a stamp which was itself featured on one of the 65c stamps issued to commemorate Sir Rowland Hill in 1979. Niue, Penrhyn and Rarotonga also issued their own versions of these stamps.
Aitutaki - Cook Islands	11/04/1974	William Bligh's Discovery of Aitutaki 2x3v The Dance portrait of Captain Cook, and the Resolution are shown on one of the pair of top value 8c stamps. The other stamps in this set relate to William Bligh and his discovery of Aitutaki in 1789. Larger revalued airmail versions of these stamps were released later in the year.
Aitutaki - Cook Islands	15/07/1974	Centenary of the Universal Postal Union 2v & M/S(2v) The 50c stamp in this set features the 1920 ½d 'Cook landing' stamp. The stamps in the miniature sheet have different perforations to the sheet stamps. Both the stamps from this set were themselves featured in the 1979 Rowland Hill set.
Aitutaki - Cook Islands	09/09/1974	William Bligh's Discovery of Aitutaki (Airmail) 2 x 3v These stamps are larger revalued versions of the original 11/04/1974 set. The Dance portrait of Captain Cook, and the Resolution are shown this time on one of the pair of 30c stamps.
Aitutaki - Cook Islands	19/01/1978	Bicentenary of the Discovery of Hawaii 3v & M/S(3v) The 35c stamp shows a Hawaiian Goddess. The 50c shows the figurehead of HMS Resolution and the $1 stamp shows a Hawaiian temple figure. The stamps are repeated in the miniature sheet.
Aitutaki - Cook Islands	20/07/1979	Death Bicentenary of Captain Cook 2v & M/S(2v) The 50c stamp shows the 'Dance' portrait of Cook. The 75c stamp shows the painting of HMS Resolution & HMS Adventure at Matavai Bay by William Hodges. The stamps are repeated in the miniature sheet, but with slightly different perforations.
Aitutaki - Cook Islands	14/11/1979	Death Centenary of Sir Rowland Hill 3 x 2v & M/S(3x2v) One of each of the two values feature the 1974 UPU set which itself featured older Aitutaki stamps. This included the 1920 ½d 'Cook landing' stamp on one of the 65c values. On the miniature sheet the stamps are revalued at 30c.
Aitutaki - Cook Islands	14/09/1984	Ausipex International Stamp Exhibition, Melbourne 3v & M/S(3v) The $1.40 stamp of this set shows stamps from 1974, 1979 and 1981, including a 'stamp-on-stamp-on-stamp' of the 1920 ½d Cook Landing stamp. The other stamps in this set relate to Captain Bligh and the Bounty. The miniature sheet was later overprinted for Stampex 86 (04/08/1986)

Aotearoa - New Zealand

Cook's First Voyage

Cook visited New Zealand a total of five times. He mapped the entire coastline of both main islands during the first voyage. His chart is shown on the splendid London 1990 miniature sheet.

Cook's Second Voyage

Cook visited New Zealand three times on the second voyage. Firstly from 26/03/1773-18/05/1773, having been at sea since he left the Cape of Good Hope on 30/10/1772. Here the Resolution met up again with the Adventure under the command of Captain Furneaux. They had become separated whilst travelling through the Southern Ocean. They left for the first of two pacific tours during that voyage, arriving back in New Zealand on 22/10/1773. They stayed for just over a month and then headed south for Antarctic waters. The Resolution stopped briefly again in November 1774 at the end of the second Pacific tour, before heading for Cabo de Hornas, which they reached just over a month later.

Cook's Third Voyage

Cook only spent a couple of weeks in New Zealand in February 1777 before attempting to head for Tahiti. However, the ships made slow progress, especially in the Cook Islands and had to turn west towards Tonga for supplies.

New Zealand first issued a stamp depicting Cook back in 1906. The bicentenary of his first visit was commemorated in 1969 with a set and miniature sheet. Most recently, the millennium series has included a Cook stamp in the Discoverers' set and his portrait on a banknote is shown on one of the Nostalgia set.

There is a separate page for the stamps showing Mount Cook, Cooks Bay or anything else named after the explorer.

New Zealand	01/11/1906	New Zealand Exhibition, Christchurch 4v The 3d brown and blue of this set was the first stamp issued by New Zealand to show Captain Cook. The scene shows him landing in New Zealand. The 6d value, issued on the 17/11/1906, shows a scene entitled the Annexation of New Zealand. For a long time it was supposed that it showed the Signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, but the presence of a boarding party suggests that it actually shows Cook's proclamation in 1770.
New Zealand	01/05/1935	Definitives (w43 & w98) 14v & 14v The 2/- olive green stamp in this set shows Captain Cook at Poverty Bay. Originally printed with the Single NZ Star watermark, they were reprinted using the Multiple NZ Star watermark, from 1936 onwards. They exist with several different perforation settings including some emergency wartime issues. They were also later released with Official overprints.
New Zealand	02/01/1940	Centenary of Proclamation of British Sovereignty 13v The 1d value shows Captain Cook, his chart of New Zealand and the Endeavour. The 2d stamp shows Tasman and his chart, a copy of which Cook took with him. This set was later given Official overprints.
New Zealand	02/03/1959	Centenary of Marlborough Province 3v The Endeavour being careened at Ship Cove is shown on the 2d value in this set.
New Zealand	09/10/1969	Bicentenary of Captain Cook's Landing in New Zealand 4v & M/S(4v) Captain Cook, the Transit of Venus and an octant are shown on the 4c stamp. The 6c stamp shows Sir Joseph Banks and the Endeavour. The 18c stamp shows Dr Daniel Solander and his plant, and the 28c value shows the Queen and Cook's Chart from 1769. The set is repeated in the rather plain miniature sheet.
New Zealand	24/11/1976	Maori Artefacts 4v These four mid-low value definitives show artefacts from Cook's voyages. The 11c shows a Maripi knife, the 12c shows a Putorino or flute, the 13c shows a Wahaika club, and the 14c shows a Kotiate club which looks rather like a solid violin. The 12c and 14c stamps were also available in booklets.
New Zealand	07/03/1990	New Zealand Heritage: The Ships 6v & M/S(1v) HMS Endeavour is shown on the 50c stamp, which is also featured in a miniature sheet released for the London 90 stamp exhibition (03/05/1990). The border of the M/S shows Cook's chart of New Zealand.
New Zealand	12/02/1997	Millennium Series: Discoverers of New Zealand 6v & M/S(6v) Captain Cook, his sextant and his map of New Zealand are shown on the 40c stamp in this set. The stamps were also printed up in miniature sheets that were only released in special Millennium books.
New Zealand	13/01/1999	Native Tree Flowers 6v Two stamps in this set show plates from Banks Florigium. The $1.00 shows Sophora tetraptera, and the $1.80 shows Metrosideros Umbellata.
New Zealand	10/03/1999	Millennium Series: Nostalgia 6v & M/S(6v) The Dance portrait of Cook is shown on a banknote on the $1.50 stamp which also features coins, stamps and postcards. The miniature sheet was only released in special Millennium books.

Cook Islands

Cook's Second Voyage

Between 1773 and 1778 Cook sighted and landed on several of the Southern Cook Islands, but never discovered the largest island, Rarotonga nor Aitutaki. He never visited any of the Northern group such as Penrhyn or Pukapuka.

The first islands he did visit were Manuae and its neighbour Takutea, in September 1773. He initially named them the Hervey Islands but later he used the term for all of the islands in the Southern group. Uninhabited Palmerston Island was discovered on 16 June 1774 on his second voyage although he did not attempt to land.

Cook's Third Voyage

Cook first sighted Mangaia on 29 March 1777 where he did not receive a friendly reception and Atiu on 31 March 1777 where he made only tentative contact with the fierce warrior people. Because of this the Resolution was in need of fresh supplies, especially for the livestock on board. Palmerston Island however provided many coconuts and other fresh vegetables such as Palm Cabbage and the tender branches of the Wharra tree. Cook named the island in honour of the First Lord of the Admiralty.

The Russians first gave the islands their modern name in honour of the English explorer, in the early 1800s. It is therefore hardly surprising that the Cook Islands, firstly as Rarotonga, should have issued many stamps featuring the navigator. The first stamps to depict Captain Cook were the 1920 issue. It is somewhat surprising that the most recent issue to actually show Cook dates back as far as 1984, although the Resolution was shown in 1986.

Issues from Aitutaki and Penrhyn are listed separately. Cook didn't visit either of them. In the 1920s and 1930s, the basic Cook Islands designs were reissued for these two islands and Niue with the country name changed. In the 1970s when the separate issues were restarted, little omnibuses were produced for the discovery of Hawaii and his death anniversary.

Rarotonga	23/08/1920	Definitives (unwatermarked) 6v The ½d stamp shows a scene of Captain Cook landing at Niue. A watermarked version was later released (13/05/1926). The 1½d stamp shows the 'Dance' portrait of Cook. Both the original stamp and a new watermarked printing were overprinted as 2d stamps (03/1931). Aitutaki, Niue and Penrhyn also released versions of both of these stamps. In 1974 these stamps were featured on the UPU Centenary set.
Cook Islands	15/03/1932	KG V Definitives (unwatermarked) 7v The themes from the first set were retained but with new designs now inscribed Cook Islands. The ½d stamp again showed Captain Cook landing at Niue. This stamp was later released on w43 paper (1933) and then on w98 (11/1944). The 1d stamp had a portrait of Cook wearing his captain's hat. This stamp was also printed on w43 (1935) and w98 (03/1945). A separate printing was also overprinted for the Silver Jubilee of King George V (07/05/1935). Niue also released similar versions of these stamps.
Cook Islands	01/08/1949	1949 Definitives 10v The 1d stamp shows Captain Cook and a map of the Hervey Islands (Manuae & Takutea). The 1/- value shows the statue of Cook in Wellington, New Zealand and a map of the whole Cook Islands group.
Cook Islands	03/07/1967	75th Anniversary of First Cook Islands Stamps 4v & M/S(4v) Captain Cook appears on the 18c (1/9d) stamp in this set and in the miniature sheet.
Cook Islands	12/09/1968	Bicentenary of Captain Cook's First Voyage of Discovery 4v & 4v Air This set shows paintings by artists who travelled with Cook. The ½c stamp shows Matavai Bay, Tahiti by J. Barralet, and also shows the Dance portrait. The 1c stamp shows Island of Huaheine by John Cleveley. The 2c shows Town of St. Peter and St. Paul, Kamchatka (after his death) by J. Webber. The 4c shows the Ice Islands by W. Hodges. The four air stamps show, 6c Resolution and Discovery by J. Webber. 10c shows the Island of Tahiti by W. Hodges. The 15c shows Karakakooa, Hawaii by J. Webber and the 25c stamp shows the Landing at Middleburg by J. Sherwin.
Cook Islands	08/10/1969	South Pacific Conference, Noumea 4v The Dance portrait of Cook is shown on the 10c stamp in this set.
Cook Islands	12/06/1970	Royal Visit to New Zealand 3v & M/S(3v) Captain Cook and HMS Endeavour are shown on the 30c and $1.00 stamps in this set and miniature sheet. The set of stamps was later overprinted for the 5^th anniversary of Self-Government (27/08/1970).
Cook Islands	11/03/1971	Royal Visit by the Duke of Edinburgh 5v &M/S(5v) The labels on the sheetlets show a coin with Cook on it. It is repeated in the miniature sheet.
Cook Islands	17/09/1973	Maori Exploration of the Pacific 6v Two stamps in this set are based on pictures from Cook's voyages. The 1c stamp shows Wa'a Kaulua from the Sandwich Islands. The 5c stamp shows a War Canoe after Hodges.
Cook Islands	22/07/1974	Bicentenary of Captain Cook's Second Voyage of Discovery 2v & M/S(2v) The $2.50 and $7.50 stamps in this set show the $2.50 and $7.50 commemorative coins issued by the Cook Islands. The stamps are repeated in the miniature sheet.
Cook Islands	16/09/1974	Centenary of the Universal Postal Union 4v & M/S(4v) Stamps from the 1920 set are shown on several of the stamps in this set. The stamps in the miniature sheet have different perforations. Might not be a Cook stamp here.
Cook Islands	08/08/1975	Bicentenary of Captain Cook's Second Voyage of Discovery 1v This time the $2 stamp shows the $100 gold commemorative coin.
Cook Islands	29/05/1976	Bicentenary of American Revolution 2v & M/S(1v) The $1 stamp shows HMS Resolution and Benjamin Franklin. The $2 stamp shows Captain Cook and the Resolution. The larger $3 stamp in the miniature sheet combines the designs from both the $1 and $2 stamps. The stamps and the miniature sheet were later overprinted to commemorate the Royal Visit to the USA (09/07/1976). The $2 stamp was also given an OHMS overprint (19/10/1978).
Cook Islands	20/01/1978	Bicentenary of the Discovery of Hawaii 3v & M/S(3v) The 50c stamp shows the Dance portrait of Cook and H. Roberts' picture of the Resolution. The $1 value shows the Earl of Sandwich painted by Gainsborough and J. Cleveley's painting of Cook landing at Owhyhee. The $2 stamp shows the $200 commemorative gold coin and Cook monument, Hawaii. The stamps are then repeated in the miniature sheet. The stamps and the M/S were overprinted for the 250^th Birth Anniversary of Captain Cook (13/11/1978).
Cook Islands	15/11/1978	National Wildlife and Conservation Day 1v The gutters for this $1 stamp are inscribed 250th Anniversary of Captain Cook.
Cook Islands	23/07/1979	Death Bicentenary of Captain Cook 4v & M/S(4v) The 20c stamp shows the James Webber portrait of Cook. HMS Resolution is shown on the 30c stamp. The 35c stamp shows HMS Royal George (ship of the line) although the inscription refers to the Endeavour. The 50c stamp shows Death of Captain Cook by George Carter. The stamps are repeated in the miniature sheet but with black borders.
Cook Islands	20/09/1984	Ausipex 4v & M/S(4x1v) The Flaxman cameo of Captain Cook and the Cook Cottage in Melbourne are shown on the 36c stamp. The 48c value shows the Sydney Parkinson painting of Endeavour careened for repairs. The 60c stamp shows E. Phillips Fox's painting of Cook's landing at Botany Bay, and the $2 stamp shows the John Webber portrait of Cook. The four stamps are repeated in the miniature sheet but are all revalued at 90c. The miniature sheet was overprinted for the Stampex 86 exhibition in Adelaide (04/08/1986). The four stamps from the set were overprinted with $1.30 values along with lots of other revalued royal and definitive issues (12/02/1987).
Cook Islands	21/05/1986	Ameripex 86 3v HMS Resolution is shown on $1 and $2 stamps in this set alongside Benjamin Franklin. The $1.50 stamp shows Chicago, site of the Ameripex 86 exhibition. These three stamps were overprinted with 50c surcharges for the Hurricane Relief Fund (30/06/1987) along with other Christmas, Statue of Liberty and Royal issues.

Niue

Cook's Second Voyage

Cook gave this island the name of Savage Island. He visited it during his second voyage in 1774 but was unable to land for provisions due to the hostile reception of the natives.

Cook's Third Voyage

In his journal of the third voyage, Cook mentions that they passed by one night, on the way from Tahiti to Tonga, but neither sighted Niue nor attempted to find it.

The earliest stamps showing Captain Cook come from the period when Niue was issuing stamps similar in design to the Cook Islands issues.

Niue	23/08/1920	Definitives (unwatermarked) 6v The ½d stamp shows a scene of Captain Cook landing at Niue. A watermarked version was later released (1927). The 1½d stamp shows the 'Dance' portrait of Cook. This value was then overprinted to 2d (04/1931). Aitutaki, Penrhyn and Rarotonga also released versions of both of these stamps.
Niue - Cook Islands	16/03/1932	KG V Definitives (unwatermarked) 7v The themes from the first set were retained but with new designs now inscribed Niue - Cook Islands. The ½d stamp again showed Captain Cook landing in the Cook Islands. This stamp was later released on w43 paper (1932) and then on w98 (1944). The 1d stamp had a portrait of Cook wearing his captain's hat. This stamp was also printed on w43 (1932) and w98 (1944). A separate printing was also overprinted for the Silver Jubilee of King George V (07/05/1935). The Cook Islands also released similar versions of these stamps.
Niue	03/07/1950	Definitives 10v Niue finally got its own designs, separate from the Cook Islands in 1950. The 1d stamp of this set shows HMS Resolution off Opaahi Point, June 20 1774. This stamp was also released with a 1c decimal overprint along with the rest of the set (10/07/1967).
Niue	20/06/1974	Bicentenary of Captain Cook's Visit 4v A reverse of Dance's portrait of Cook is shown on all four of these stamps. The 2c stamp also shows the bow of the Resolution. The 3c stamp shows the Opaahi landing point. The 8c stamp shows a map of Niue. The top value 20c stamp shows an Ensign of 1774 and the Niue Administration Building.
Niue	18/01/1978	Bicentenary of the Discovery of Hawaii 5v & M/S(5v) All five values in this set show paintings of Hawaii by John Webber. The 12c stamp shows An Island View In Atooi. The 16c value shows View of Karakaooa, in Owhyhee. The 20c stamp shows Offering before Captain Cook in the Sandwich Islands. The 30c stamp shows Tereoboo, King of Owhyhee bringing presents to Captain Cook. The top value 35c stamp shows Canoe in the Sandwich Islands, the rowers masked. The stamps are repeated in the miniature sheet.
Niue	30/07/1979	Death Bicentenary of Captain Cook 4v & M/S(4v) Cook's landing at Botany Bay is shown on the 20c value. The 30c stamp shows Cook's men during a landing on Erromanga. The 35c stamp shows the Resolution and the Discovery in Queen Charlotte's Sound. The 75c stamp shows the Death of Captain Cook, Hawaii. The stamps are repeated in the miniature sheet, except for larger perforations. The four stamps were given 2c surcharges (25/01/1980) for Hurricane Relief and issued with other similarly overprinted commemoratives.
Niue	14/03/1983	Commonwealth Day 4x1v The second 70c stamp in this block of four shows the Resolution and the Adventure off Niue in 1774. This block was later overprinted to commemorate the Pacific Islands Conference in Rarotonga (26/07/1985).
Niue	19/10/1984	10th Anniversary of Self Government 3v & M/S(3v) The miniature sheet of this issue includes a label showing the Resolution and Adventure.
Niue	18/11/1998	Ancient Weapons 4v I thought I would throw in this set as it gives a taste of why Cook called this place Savage Island. The 20c stamp shows clubs. The $1.20 and $1.50 stamps show spears, and the $2 stamp shows some rather fine throwing stones.
Niue	24/02/1999	Australia 99 4v HMS Resolution is shown on the $1 value in this set, while the $1.50 value shows Captain Cook.

Penrhyn - Northern Cook Islands

Byron's Voyage

Sailing from the Tuomotus in French Polynesia, Byron came across Pukapuka. Its sudden appearance and surrounding reefs caused Byron to gave it the name of Danger Island. Although in desperate need of fresh supplies, they were unable to land. The ships then sailed on to Atafu in the Tokelau Islands.

Cook didn't visit the islands of the Northern Group, but he has been featured on several stamps over the years. He was first shown on one of the 1920 Penrhyn issue. The next issue was for the Bicentenary of Hawaii. Finally, the Sailing Craft and Ships set of 1981 provided a design of the Resolution and Discovery, which was reused in 1984.

There has been one 'stamp on stamp' issue involving the stamps of 1920. This stamp was then featured on another set in a 'stamp on stamp on stamp' manner. Details are given in the table below.

Penrhyn	23/08/1920	Definitives (unwatermarked) 6v The ½d stamp shows a scene of Captain Cook landing at Niue. A watermarked version was later released (05/1929). The 1½d stamp shows the 'Dance' portrait of Cook. These were the common design also used by Aitutaki, Niue and Rarotonga. The 1½d stamp was featured on one of the 1974 UPU centenary set. (27/09/1974) These UPU stamps were then featured on the 1979 Rowland Hill set. (26/09/1979).
Penrhyn - Northern Cook Islands	27/09/1974	Centenary of the Universal Postal Union 2v The 50c stamp in this set shows the 1920 1½d 'Cook portrait' stamp. Both these stamps were themselves then featured on the 1979 Sir Rowland Hill set.
Penrhyn - Northern Cook Islands	19/01/1978	Bicentenary of the Discovery of Hawaii 2x4v, 2xM/S(4v) The four pairs of stamps show either extinct Hawaiian birds or feathered costumes, regalia or images of the Gods. The paintings of the birds are by William W. Ellis, who was the natural history draughtsman and surgeon's mate on the third voyage. The stamps are repeated in the miniature sheets, one for the four birds, and the other for the feathered items.
Penrhyn - Northern Cook Islands	26/09/1979	Death Centenary of Sir Rowland Hill 2 x 2v, & M/S(2 x 2v) One of the 75c stamps shows the stamps issued in 1974 for the UPU Centenary, which featured the 1920 1½d 'Dance portrait' stamp.
Penrhyn - Northern Cook Islands	16/02/1981	Sailing Craft and Ships (1st series) 43v The Resolution and the Discovery are shown on the top value $6 stamp issued 21/09/1981. The rest of the set was issued in four other instalments. The $6 stamp was then firstly overprinted $5.60 (28/10/1983). An OHMS overprint appeared on 02/11/1987, and finally 22/04/1991 brought a 'Commemorating 65^th Birthday of HM Queen Elizabeth II' overprint.
Penrhyn - Northern Cook Islands	15/06/1984	Sailing Craft and Ships (2nd series) 19v Reusing the designs from the first series in 1981, the Resolution and Discovery reappeared on the top value $9.60 stamp from this set (15/06/1984). This stamp also received an OHMS overprint (02/11/1987).

Ross Dependency

Cook's Second Voyage

Just one release has come from Ross Dependency. Cook came closest to this territory during his second voyage although he never made landfall. Indeed it seems the Resolution was so close to the actual continent that he probably saw it. It was however indistinguishable from the ice islands.

Ross Dependency

09/11/1995

Antarctic Explorers 6v Captain Cook is shown with HMS Resolution and HMS Adventure amongst the ice islands of Antarctica on the 40c stamp in this set.

Samoa

Our explorers never made it to the Samoan Islands. Cook tended to sail more southerly from the Society Islands to the Friendly Islands. He has however been featured on four sets from Samoa over the years starting in 1970.

Samoa I Sisifo	14/09/1970	Cook's Exploration of the Pacific 4v Kendall's chronometer and Cook's sextant are shown on the 1c stamp. The 2c stamp shows the Cook statue in Whitby against a map of the Pacific. The 20c stamp shows the Flaxman portrait of Cook. The large 30c stamp shows a statue of Cook wearing a hat and HM Bark Endeavour.
Samoa I Sisifo	28/08/1978	250th Birth Anniversary of Captain Cook 4v Captain Cook in a hat is shown on the 12 sene stamp. The 24s stamp shows Cook's cottage in Great Ayton, Yorkshire. The 26s stamp shows the old drawbridge over the river Esk, Whitby. The 50s stamp shows HMS Resolution.
Samoa	30/09/1987	Bicentenary of Australian Settlement (1) Explorers of the Pacific 4v & M/S(1v) Captain Cook is featured on the 45s stamp in this set.
Samoa	19/03/1999	Australia 99 4v HMS Resolution and HMS Adventure are shown in 1773 on the $1.05 stamp in this set.

Tokelau

Byron's Voyage

Byron's expedition came across uninhabited Atafu on 24th June 1765, and although they could get no anchorage, they sent the boats onto the atoll in order to collect coconuts. The crews of both the Dolphin and the Tamar were suffering badly from the scurvy at this time. With great difficulty they managed to bring 200 coconuts to the ships. Byron's journal describes them as an 'ineftimable treafure'. The sailors were also able to bring back sea birds that were so tame as to be easily caught. Byron gave the atoll the name of Duke of York Island, in honour of his late royal highness.

Tokelau has released just the one stamp showing the Dolphin, in 1970. But they have issued three coins. In 1989, the islands issued a $5 (Lima Tala) coin that showed both Byron and the Dolphin. In 1996, they released a whopping 1-kilogramme $100 (Helau Tala) coin showing the three ships that discovered each of the islands. (Dolphin, Pandora and General Jackson). They must have very strong pockets in Tokelau to carry that sort of change. Most recently, in 1998, they have issued another $5 Lima Tala showing the Dolphin.

Tokelau Islands

09/12/1970

Discovery of Tokelau 3v The 5c stamp shows the Dolphin and a map of Atafu.