½ Dollar Hawaiian Sesquicentennial

Features

Issuer United States
Period Federal republic (1776-date)
Type Non-circulating coin
Year 1928
Value ½ Dollar = 50 Cents (½ USD)
Currency Dollar (1785-date)
Composition Silver (.900)
Weight 12.5 g
Diameter 30.6 mm
Shape Round
Technique Milled
Orientation Coin alignment ↑↓
Number
N#
25253
References KM# 163
Tracy L. Schmidt (editor); 2019. Standard Catalog of World Coins / 2001-Date (14th edition). Krause Publications, Stevens Point, Wisconsin, United States.
And 5 more volumes.

Commemorative issue

Hawaiian Sesquicentennial

Obverse

A portrait of Captain James Cook. Along the bottom edge of the design are representations of the eight largest islands.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
·UNITED·STATES·OF·AMERICA·
IN GOD
WE TRUST
CAPT.
JAMES COOK
DISCOVERER OF
HAWAII
HALF DOLLAR

Engraver: Chester Plage

Reverse

A native chief of Hawaii with his hand extended in welcome. Behind him are a coconut tree and grass huts in the distance along the Waikiki Beach and Diamond Head.

Script: Latin

Lettering:
E·PLURIBUS
UNUM
1778 1928

Engraver: Juliette May Fraser

Edge

Reeded

Mint

United States Mint of Philadelphia, United States (1792-date)

Comments

The low mintage and circumstances of the original distribution make the 1928 Hawaii Sesquicentennial Half Dollar one of the scarcest and most valuable of the early silver commemorative coins. The issue was produced to mark the 150th anniversary of Captain James Cook arriving at the Hawaiian Islands.

Both the obverse and reverse were designed by Juliette May Fraser, a painter, muralist, and printmaker born in Honolulu, with modeling done by Chester Beach.

The Hawaiian Sesquicentennial Half Dollar was authorized with a maximum mintage of just 10,000 pieces, a mere fraction of the level typical for commemorative coins of this era. Distribution was performed by the Captain Cook Sesquicentennial Commission through the Bank of Hawaii at an issue price of $2 per coin. Despite the fact that the issue price was double the usual level, sales were swift and the issue sold out.

Originally, it was intended that half the mintage would be sold to Hawaiian residents and half to the mainland, but the majority of sales occurred to Hawaiians. A combination of the low mintage and distribution primarily to non-collectors helped this issue achieve an instant premium over the issue price. Today the coin is one of the most expensive within a complete set of early commemorative silver dollars.

The US Mint at Philadelphia struck 50 proof presentation pieces, which carried a sandblast finish. These are valued highly, particularly for surviving gem examples.

Authorization: Public Law 70-98
Maximum Authorized Mintage: 10,000

See also

Manage my collection

Please sign in or create an account to manage your collection.

Date Mintage VG F VF XF AU UNC Frequency
1928  Photo 10 008 100%
1928  50 24% Sandblast Proof Presentation Piece

Frequencies show the percentage of Numista users who own each year or variety among all the users who own this coin. Since some users own several versions, the sum may be greater than 100%.

Get this coin

A member of this site wants to exchange it: eljunquito52

Feedback: none
Country: Spain
Languages: English Spanish French
Numista Rarity index: 83 Search tips
This index is based on the data of Numista members collections. It ranges from 0 to 100, 0 meaning a very common coin or banknote and 100 meaning a rare coin or banknote among Numista members.

Bullion value: USD 9.03 Search tips
This value is given for information purpose only. It is based on a price of silver at 803 USD/kg. Numista does not buy or sell coins or metal.

Past sales

Pictures Sale Date Version Grade Sold price
Picture 1 of a sold ½ Dollar (Hawaiian Sesquicentennial)
Katz
Auction 61
Lot 1180
Internet Archive
7 Jun 2022 1928 USD 1606.10
(EUR 1490.00)
(+ buyer's premium)
See the sales

Contribute to the catalogue

Modify or add data on this page
Register a past auction sale
Register an example of this type
Duplicate this page
Share: Facebook X (Twitter)