History of Hawaiian Coinage (Pre-Annexation)
Hawaiʻi’s first official coin was a copper cent (Keneta) authorized in 1846 and struck in 1847 for King Kamehameha III. (Agent James Jarves ordered 100,000 of these coins in 1846) The obverse bore the king’s portrait and the reverse legend “Hapa Haneri.” (This legend was actually an 1830s spelling error – it should have read “Hapa Hanele” – but it remained in use into the 20th century) The Keneta proved unpopular (the portrait was crude) and remained legal tender only until the 1880spcgs.com. In the interim, U.S. currency and privately minted tokens (e.g. Hawaiian plantation and merchant tokens) circulated. The earliest Hawaiian token was struck by Honolulu merchant John T. Waterhouse in the 1850.
Efforts to create a national coinage continued. In 1880 a new coinage law authorized silver coins of 1 dollar, 50¢, 25¢ and 12½¢. King Kalākaua (reigned 1874–1891) then commissioned dies from U.S. Mint engraver Charles Barber and contracted with Claus Spreckels. By 1883–1884 the U.S. Mint had struck the Hawaiian issues to U.S. specifications. (An original plan for a 12½¢ “hapawalu” piece was abandoned in favor of the 10¢ “umi keneta” to match U.S. denominations) Twenty-six proof sets (dime, quarter, half, dollar) were struck at Philadelphia for dignitaries, and 20 proof specimens of an ⅛-dollar were strucken. All circulation strikes bear the 1883 date even if minted in 1884. These were the only Hawaiian coins issued under the monarchy. The coins remained in commerce after U.S. annexation (1898) until they were demonetized in 1903, when most were withdrawn and melted.
Private tokens: Aside from official issues, collectors also seek 19th-century Hawaiiana tokens. Notable examples include the 1853 “Waterhouse token” (pewter-like alloy) – the earliest Hawaiian token– and various plantation or merchant tokens (the Medcalf & Russell catalog lists dozens of issues). These are considered separate specialties, but many collectors of Hawaiian coins also prize the rarer 19th-century tokens.
Major Hawaiian Coins (Denominations, Mintage, Values)
The table below summarizes the major pre-annexation Hawaiian coins, with denomination, year, metal, mintage, and representative values. (These values are approximate retail ranges; actual prices depend on grade and market conditions.)
| Coin (Name) | Denomination | Year | Metal | Mintage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Keneta (Hapa Haneri) | 1 cent | 1847 | Bronze (copper) | 100,000 |
| Umi Keneta | 10 cents | 1883 | 90% Silver | 250,000 |
| Hapaha | 25 cents | 1883 | 90% Silver | 500,000 |
| Hapalua | 50 cents | 1883 | 90% Silver | 700,000 |
| Akahi Dala | 1 dollar | 1883 | 90% Silver | 500,000 |
All Hawaiian coins are quite collectible
Spotting Counterfeits
Counterfeits of Hawaiian coins have appeared, so vigilance is important. Key tips include:
-
Weight and Size: Hawaiian coins were struck to U.S. standards (e.g. the dime ~2.5 g, 25¢ ~6.22 g, 50¢ ~12.42 g, $1 ~26.96 g). A suspicious weight often reveals a fake.
-
Metal Tests: All circulation strikes are 90% silver (except the bronze cent). Silver tests (e.g. magnet or specific gravity) can catch plated or base-metal fakes.
-
Detail Accuracy: Compare questionable coins to known genuine examples or high-quality images. Known counterfeits often show wrong font, blurred details or odd textures on King Kalākaua’s hair and beard. For example, collectors online have noted “soft” or mismatched features on fake 1883 dollars and dimes.
-
Edge and Planchet: Genuine Hawaiian coins have the same reeded edge as U.S. coins of the era. Variations (plain edge, incorrect reeding) indicate a counterfeit.
-
Certification: Purchasing coins graded by NGC or PCGS is a strong protection. These services authenticate the coin and encapsulate it. If buying raw, use an experienced numismatist’s opinion or send coins for third-party grading.
In short, always verify Hawaiian coins with careful physical checks or by relying on slabbed examples. Well-known sources like NGC’s Counterfeit Detection Center have articles on protecting against fakes of rare issues (though no standard notes exist for Hawaiʻi, the principles are the same).
Grading Standards
Hawaiian coins are graded using normal U.S. coin standards (Sheldon scale). Key details for grading include the sharpness of the portrait, the luster and strike on the King’s hair and beard, and the clarity of the reverse shield and Hawaiian mottos. Because many survivors circulated, high grades are prized.