Rare Hawaiian Coins Surface at Auction

By Wendy Osher

Hawaiian Eighth Dollar. Image by coins.ha.com.

Two rare Hawaiian coins are among the items featured at an online auction that closes next week Wednesday, April 27, 2011.

The 1883 eighth dollar coin was a proposed denomination that was never issued for circulation.

Only 20 coins were struck for inclusion in proof sets, and perhaps half that number survives today, according to auction authorities.

The cameo coin featuring Kalakaua on the face and the word hapawalu on the back is posted with a current bid of $23,000.

A separate Five Cent Hawaiian coin from 1881 is also up for auction. The item has the Hawaiian motto on the back beginning with the words “au mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono” instead of “ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono.”

The item was listed this morning with a bid of $16,000.

Back of the 1881 Hawaiian 5 Cent Coin. Image by coins.ha.com.