Numismatic

1847 Hawaii Cent AU

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In 1847, the sovereign Kingdom of Hawaii issued its own copper currency, a landmark moment in the islands' monetary history. This one cent piece represents a fascinating chapter of Pacific heritage, minted during a time when Hawaii operated as an independent nation. Today, these coins are incredibly scarce, with experts estimating that less than 10 percent of the original mintage of 100,000 pieces has survived to the present day. The obverse of the coin displays a front-facing, uniformed bust of King Kamehameha III, the monarch who ruled Hawaii during this era. Surrounding the portrait is the king's name and title, rendered in the Hawaiian language. The year of issue, 1847, is clearly anchored at the bottom of the design. On the reverse, the coin features its denomination set within a decorative wreath. This specific variety is identified by a plain style of the number 4 in the date and a wreath containing 17 berries. The Hawaiian inscription on this side reads HAPA HANERI, which translates to a hundredth part, representing its one cent value. Preserved in Almost Uncirculated condition, this copper issue offers a remarkable window into nineteenth-century Hawaiian history.