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1928 Hawaiian Sesquicentennial Half Dollar

 

 1928 Hawaiian Sesquicentennial Obverse       1928 Hawaiian Sesquicentennial Reverse

 

Click the images above for enhanced view.

Purpose:

 

To commemorate the 150th anniversary of the landing by Captain James Cook on the Hawaiian Islands and to fund the Captain Cook Memorial Collection housed at the Bishop Museum in Honolulu.

 

Maximum Number Authorized: 10,000 pieces.

 

Sale Price: $2.00

 

Designs:

 

    Obverse – Juliette May Fraser and Chester Beach

Head of Captain James Cook facing left. In front of him are the words “CAPT. JAMES COOK DISCOVERER OF HAWAII”. A compass needle is found in the left field. Four triangles are located on each side  of “Half Dollar.” The triangles represent the eight largest volcanic islands of Hawaii. The initials of Chester Beach are at the right base of the bust.

 

Online Resource: https://www.rmg.co.uk/discover/explore/exploration-endeavour/captain-james-cook

  

   Reverse – Juliette May Fraser and Chester Beach

A Hawaiian warrior chief based on a statue of King Kamehameha I of Hawaii. The warrior extends his right arm in greeting while holding an upright spear with his left hand. A palm tree is located in the upper righ
t field. A village at Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head are seen behind the warrior.

 

Online Resource: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/dsp/parks/oahu/diamond-head-state-monument/ 

 

Popularity:

 

Only 10,000 coins were created at the Philadelphia Mint for sale to the public.  Approximately 450 coins were held back to give as presentation pieces to museums and dignitaries. All coins were eventually sold.

 

Trivia:

 

  • The $2.00 price for the sale of the coin was the highest price for a commemorative coin at that time.

  • Kamehameha I was the first ruler of the Kingdom of Hawaii.

  • Kamehameha had between 21 and 30 wives. He had 35 children.

  • Captain James Cook was stabbed to death in Hawaii at the age of 50.

  • Though the coin was minted in 1928, Hawaii did not become a state until 1959.

  • Hawaii is the only state not geographically located in North America. It is one of four states that were independent republics.

 

For more information:

 

Encyclopedia of the Commemorative Coins of the United States by Anthony J. Swiatek 

KWS Publishers (2012)

 

Commemorative Coins of the United States Identification and Price Guide by Anthony J. Swiatek

Amos Press Publishers (2001)

 

References:

 

Encyclopedia of the Commemorative Coins of the United States by Anthony J. Swiatek

KWS Publishers (2012)

 

The Encyclopedia of United States Silver & Gold Commemorative Coins 1892 to 1954 by Anthony Swiatek and Walter Breen

 

Arco Publishing, Inc. (1981)

 

 

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