2003.06.30   Cook Islands Butterflies & Flowers Provisional Overprints
On Monday, 30 June 2003, the Cook Islands Post Office will place on sale four overprinted denominations to provide the outgoing mails with additional supplies of needed denominations. Contrary to most countries, which have found a rapid decline in tourism and air traffic, the South Pacific has seen the reverse in some areas.

The four needed denominations are all for postcard rates: the 20c the local rate, and the 80c, 85c and 90c the external airmail rates.

When overprinting the printer added an occasional imprint in margins to convey the usual friendly greetings abroad, like "KIA ORANA" "Greetings", or some typical symbol.
 

Issue Date 30 June 2003
Denomination and Design 20c on $1.50: Parthenos sylvia
80c on $2.00: Lampides boeticus
85c on $3.00: recis villida
85c on $4.00: Melanitis leda
90c on $5.00: Vagrans egista
90c on $7.00: Hyblaea sanguinea
Sheet 10 stamps

          
Original information and image from Stamp Cafe web site