Pitcairn Islands is a non-sovereign British Overseas Territory and the New Zealand dollar is used as exchange. Pitcairn Islands began issuing its first commemorative coins in 1988. Though the Pitcairn Islands dollar is not a true currency in the strict sense of the word, and is not used as a circulation coinage, it can be lawfully exchanged as tender. The Pitcairn Islands dollar exists only because of the coin collecting market, which provides a major staple for the island nation. Having a population of only 56 according to the 2013 census, and with only one island in the group of four being populated, there is no need for local coinage. Coins consist of an important part of Pitcairn's tiny economy and help raise funds for the government's largely fixed and subsidized income.