Numismatic

1883 Hawaii Quarter Kalakaua I Fine

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In 1883, the Kingdom of Hawaii issued a distinctive silver quarter dollar, a tangible piece of the island nation's sovereign era before it became a United States territory. Minted in San Francisco, this twenty-five cent piece is struck in 90 percent silver, containing 0.1808 troy ounces of the precious metal. The obverse of the coin presents the profile of King Kalakaua I, who ruled the Hawaiian Kingdom during the late nineteenth century. Surrounding his portrait are the legible inscriptions of his name and royal title. The reverse displays the intricate central shield from the official Hawaiian coat of arms. It features the traditional Hawaiian motto, "UA MAU KE EA O KA AINA I KA PONO," which translates to "The life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness," alongside the denomination indicated as "HAPAHA," the Hawaiian word for one-fourth.