Object Details
ruler
Kalakaua King of Hawaii
designer
Barber, Charles
maker
U.S. Mint, San Francisco
Description (Brief)
One (1) dollar coin
Hawaii, 1883
Obverse Image: Right facing portrait of Kalākaua, the last reigning king of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi.
Obverse Text: KALAKAUA I KING OF HAWAII / 1883
Reverse Image: The coat of arms of the Kingdom of Hawaii.
Reverse Text: UA MAU KE EA O KA AINA I KA PONO / 1 D / AKAHI DALA
Description
Hawaii produced this silver dollar coin featuring the profile of King Kalakaua of the Hawaiian Islands (1836 – 1891) in 1883. Kalakaua silver coinage was based on designs by California sugar baron, Claus Spreckels, and Chief Engraver of the U.S. Mint, Charles Barber. Spreckels financed the production of the coins at the U.S. Mint in San Francisco, California. Because gold currency was the preferred medium of exchange for settling debts in both the U.S. and Hawaii, some members of the business community refused to accept the silver Kalakaua coinage. Much of the higher value Kalakaua coinage was melted down when Hawaii became a U.S. territory in 1898.
Credit Line
Paul A. Straub
date made
1883
ID Number
NU.NU52527
accession number
161590
catalog number
NU52527
Object Name
coin
Physical Description
silver (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 3 mm x 38 mm; 1/8 in x 1 1/2 in
place used
United States: Hawaii
province
United States: Hawaii
country
United States
See more items in
Work and Industry: National Numismatic Collection
Paul A. Straub Collection
Many Voices, One Nation
Exhibition
Many Voices, One Nation
Exhibition Location
National Museum of American History
Data Source
National Museum of American History
Link to Original Record
Record ID
nmah_835162