In the event you’ve ever visited the Hawaiian islands, you know the way particular that vacation spot is—from gently blowing commerce winds and gurgling volcanoes to rain forests and glowing blue ocean water.
Superior collectors inside the numismatic group understand how particular this coin is: the 1928 Hawaiian 50c Silver Commemorative is likely one of the keys to the U.S. Silver Commemorative set. As you in all probability know, a key coin is likely one of the hardest and costliest cash to accumulate inside a sequence.
There’s a exceptional story behind this good-looking silver Hawaiian commemorative. Till Captain James Cook dinner, certainly one of England’s biggest maritime explorers, arrived in 1778, the Hawaiian Islands have been untouched by Western civilization. Earlier than Captain Cook dinner’s go to, the Hawaiian Islands existed in digital isolation from the remainder of the world, permitting the indigenous inhabitants to develop a novel tradition, which remains to be beloved and celebrated right now.
Captain Cook dinner went ashore on the island of Kauai and spent two weeks there whereas taking over water and different provisions for his ship. Captain Cook dinner named the Hawaiian Islands the Sandwich Islands. He found these islands by probability whereas crusing from Tahiti to the mainland of northwest America. To honor the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of Cook dinner’s discovery of the islands, the folks of Hawaii sought a commemorative coin to assist finance the Captain Cook dinner Memorial Assortment within the Archives of Hawaii.
The Act of March 7, 1928 approved the Mint to supply 10,000 commemorative cash and the end result was memorable. Juliette Could Fraser, a widely known artist from Honolulu, created the unique design for the intricate silver coin, and sculptor Chester Seashore modeled the precise coin from her work.
Even with the record-high situation value of $2, demand for the 1928 Hawaiian 50c Silver Commemorative was enormous. Initially, there have been plans to promote half of the ten,000 mintage on the mainland, however Hawaiian consumers rushed and bought most of them. Right now, this can be a uncommon and worthwhile coin, with survival estimates for grades 65 or higher at just one,325.
A Stunning and Intricate Coin Design Crammed with That means
Their obverse options an imposing determine of Captain Cook dinner going through left. On his left, the phrases CAPT. JAMES COOK DISCOVERER OF HAWAII, together with a tiny compass pointing north, which signifies he was wanting due west towards the mid-Pacific area. The phrases UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and IN GOD WE TRUST, are featured on the prime and right-hand facet. The worth HALF DOLLAR highlights the underside of the coin, surrounded by eight small pyramids—4 on either side—which characterize Hawaii’s eight largest volcanic islands.
The reverse includes a warrior chief atop a hill, which was meant to characterize Hawaii’s rise from obscurity. He wears a feathered cloak and holds a barbed spear. His proper hand is prolonged in welcome, signaling his intentions are peaceable. A coconut tree behind him denotes romance, whereas the panorama within the distance represents a part of Waikiki Seashore, with Diamond Head wanting down on a row of grass huts. The motto E PLURIBUS UNUM stands on the decrease left, and the twin dates 1778-1928 are seen alongside the underside.
Would you prefer to see this lovely Hawaiian silver half-dollar? We now have only one. Look shortly, this particular silver commemorative coin gained’t final lengthy.
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