Before Hawaii became one of these United States, it was known as the Kingdom of Hawaii and was ruled by a unified monarchy until 1893. Although it’s been more than 100 years since the official coins issued by the Kingdom of Hawaii were minted, these old coins continue to be collected today.

At Hawaiian Islands Stamp & Coin, the most trusted and respected authority on old coins, stamps, and other collectibles in Honolulu, the professional appraisers are always on the lookout for these valuable coins. Although they were demonetized in 1903, these coins could be worth quite a bit of money today. Here is their guide to Hawaiian coins and why they are so significant.

A Guide to Hawaiian Coins

King Kamehameha III, the king of Hawaii from 1825 to 1854, felt that it was important for the islands to have a monetary system that was unique to Hawaii. In 1847, the Kingdom of Hawaii issued its first official coin, known as the keneta. The copper coin featured a portrait of the king and was equal to 1 cent of a U.S. dollar. In 1883, the monarchy issued the umi keneta (a dime), hapaha (a quarter), hapalua (a half-dollar), and akahi dala (one dollar).

Although there were many coins issued by the Kingdom of Hawaii, most Hawaiians continued to use American, British, and Spanish coins.  On June 14, 1900 Hawaii became a territory of the United States, and Congress ordered that a majority of the Hawaiian cost be withdrawn and melted.

If you own one of these rare and valuable coins, bring it to Hawaiian Islands Stamp & Coin, where one of their expert appraisers can help you understand the value of your possession. Whether you are looking to sell or buy, the team at Hawaiian Islands Stamp & Coin can help you get the best deal possible.

For more information about the most trusted gold and silver appraisers in Honolulu, visit the Hawaiian Islands Stamp & Coin website or call (808) 531-6251.