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- USD
- $40,998,899
- Gold
- G4,000
If you’ve ever visited the Hawaiian islands, you know how special that destination is—from gently blowing trade winds and gurgling volcanoes to rain forests and sparkling blue ocean water. 
Advanced collectors within the numismatic community know how special this coin is: the 1928 Hawaiian 50c Silver Commemorative is one of the keys to the U.S. Silver Commemorative set. As you probably know, a key coin is one of the hardest and most expensive coins to acquire within a series.
There is a remarkable story behind this handsome silver Hawaiian commemorative. Until Captain James Cook, one of England’s greatest maritime explorers, arrived in 1778, the Hawaiian Islands were untouched by Western civilization. Before Captain Cook’s visit, the Hawaiian Islands existed in virtual isolation from the rest of the world, allowing the indigenous population to develop a unique culture, which is still beloved and celebrated today.
Captain Cook went ashore on the island of Kauai and spent two weeks there while taking on water and other provisions for his ship. Captain Cook named the Hawaiian Islands the Sandwich Islands. He discovered these islands by chance while sailing from Tahiti to the mainland of northwest America. To honor the 150th anniversary of Cook’s discovery of the islands, the people of Hawaii sought a commemorative coin to help finance the Captain Cook Memorial Collection in the Archives of Hawaii.
The Act of March 7, 1928 authorized the Mint to produce 10,000 commemorative coins and the result was memorable. Juliette May Fraser, a well-known artist from Honolulu, created the original design for the intricate silver coin, and sculptor Chester Beach modeled the actual coin from her work.
Even with the record-high issue price of $2, demand for the 1928 Hawaiian 50c Silver Commemorative was huge. Originally, there were plans to sell half of the 10,000 mintage on the mainland, but Hawaiian buyers rushed and purchased most of them. Today, this is a rare and valuable coin, with survival estimates for grades 65 or better at only 1,325.
A Beautiful and Intricate Coin Design Filled with Meaning
Their obverse features an imposing figure of Captain Cook facing left. On his left, the words CAPT. JAMES COOK DISCOVERER OF HAWAII, along with a tiny compass pointing north, which indicates he was looking due west toward the mid-Pacific region. The words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and IN GOD WE TRUST, are featured at the top and right-hand side. The value HALF DOLLAR highlights the bottom of the coin, surrounded by eight small pyramids—four on each side—which represent Hawaii’s eight largest volcanic islands.
The reverse features a warrior chief atop a hill, which was meant to represent Hawaii’s rise from obscurity. He wears a feathered cloak and holds a barbed spear. His right hand is extended in welcome, signaling his intentions are peaceful. A coconut tree behind him denotes romance, while the landscape in the distance represents part of Waikiki Beach, with Diamond Head looking down on a row of grass huts. The motto E PLURIBUS UNUM stands at the lower left, and the dual dates 1778-1928 are seen along the bottom.
Would you like to see this beautiful Hawaiian silver half-dollar? We have just one. Look quickly, this special silver commemorative coin won’t last long.
Want to read more? Subscribe to the Blanchard Newsletter and get our tales from the vault, our favorite stories from around the world, and the latest tangible assets news delivered to your inbox weekly.
The post Say Aloha to this Key Coin: Hawaiian Half Dollar Silver Commemorative appeared first on Blanchard and Company.
Read more
Advanced collectors within the numismatic community know how special this coin is: the 1928 Hawaiian 50c Silver Commemorative is one of the keys to the U.S. Silver Commemorative set. As you probably know, a key coin is one of the hardest and most expensive coins to acquire within a series.
There is a remarkable story behind this handsome silver Hawaiian commemorative. Until Captain James Cook, one of England’s greatest maritime explorers, arrived in 1778, the Hawaiian Islands were untouched by Western civilization. Before Captain Cook’s visit, the Hawaiian Islands existed in virtual isolation from the rest of the world, allowing the indigenous population to develop a unique culture, which is still beloved and celebrated today.
Captain Cook went ashore on the island of Kauai and spent two weeks there while taking on water and other provisions for his ship. Captain Cook named the Hawaiian Islands the Sandwich Islands. He discovered these islands by chance while sailing from Tahiti to the mainland of northwest America. To honor the 150th anniversary of Cook’s discovery of the islands, the people of Hawaii sought a commemorative coin to help finance the Captain Cook Memorial Collection in the Archives of Hawaii.
The Act of March 7, 1928 authorized the Mint to produce 10,000 commemorative coins and the result was memorable. Juliette May Fraser, a well-known artist from Honolulu, created the original design for the intricate silver coin, and sculptor Chester Beach modeled the actual coin from her work.
Even with the record-high issue price of $2, demand for the 1928 Hawaiian 50c Silver Commemorative was huge. Originally, there were plans to sell half of the 10,000 mintage on the mainland, but Hawaiian buyers rushed and purchased most of them. Today, this is a rare and valuable coin, with survival estimates for grades 65 or better at only 1,325.
A Beautiful and Intricate Coin Design Filled with Meaning
Their obverse features an imposing figure of Captain Cook facing left. On his left, the words CAPT. JAMES COOK DISCOVERER OF HAWAII, along with a tiny compass pointing north, which indicates he was looking due west toward the mid-Pacific region. The words UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and IN GOD WE TRUST, are featured at the top and right-hand side. The value HALF DOLLAR highlights the bottom of the coin, surrounded by eight small pyramids—four on each side—which represent Hawaii’s eight largest volcanic islands.
The reverse features a warrior chief atop a hill, which was meant to represent Hawaii’s rise from obscurity. He wears a feathered cloak and holds a barbed spear. His right hand is extended in welcome, signaling his intentions are peaceful. A coconut tree behind him denotes romance, while the landscape in the distance represents part of Waikiki Beach, with Diamond Head looking down on a row of grass huts. The motto E PLURIBUS UNUM stands at the lower left, and the dual dates 1778-1928 are seen along the bottom.
Would you like to see this beautiful Hawaiian silver half-dollar? We have just one. Look quickly, this special silver commemorative coin won’t last long.
Want to read more? Subscribe to the Blanchard Newsletter and get our tales from the vault, our favorite stories from around the world, and the latest tangible assets news delivered to your inbox weekly.
The post Say Aloha to this Key Coin: Hawaiian Half Dollar Silver Commemorative appeared first on Blanchard and Company.
Read more
