Gorgeous 1883 Encased Kingdom of Hawaii Silver 4 Coin Set ~ , 50¢, 25¢ and 10¢

Description

Sale Fell Through ~ Relisted at Reduced Price
Gorgeous 1883 Encased Kingdom of Hawaii Silver 4 Coin Set ~ , 50¢, 25¢ and 10¢
The Hawaii Islands were introduced to the rest of the world by British explorer Captain James Cook who first spied the islands in 1778.  It did not take long for word to spread of its natural harbors and friendly inhabitants; soon ships from all over the world were stopping in Hawaii to replenish and repair their vessels.  By the turn of the century, merchants from around the world (largely from the US) were well aware of the fertile land, abundant water supply and perfect growing conditions for much sought after crops (sugar in particular).  As the indigenous population was not large, growers who flocked to the islands began bringing workers from China, Japan, Portugal and other countries to Hawaii to work the enormous sugar plantations.  These large employers (as well as all of the smaller merchants engaged in local commerce) were faced with a growing dilemma; a shortage of coinage to pay (and exchange in trade) their workers.
Generally, the larger employers paid their workers 'in kind' (housing, food/meals, etc.) but still needed actual money to meet payroll.  Initially they (and the local merchants made do with whatever coins/currency was available on the islands (British, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, etc.) but it was soon exhausted.  King Kamehameha III (the grandson of King Kamehameha I, the Hawaiian Chief who unified the Islands into one Kingdom) partially solved the coinage shortage, by issuing the Kingdom's fist coin in 1847 ~ the penny.  King Kalakaua, 36 years later, took Hawaiian coinage a step further by issuing silver coins of 10
¢, 25
¢, 50
¢ and denominations, struck at the San Francisco Mint.  Usage of these coins was somewhat
short-lived as the territory was annexed by the US in 1893 and Hawaiian coin/currency was demonetized in 1903.  Most of the coins
were withdrawn and melted, with a sizable percentage of surviving examples made into jewelry. Following melting, the maximum number of each circulating coin that is thought to exist is as follows:
Umi Keneta: 249,921,
Hapaha: 242,600,
Hapalua: 87,700, and
Akahi Dala: 46,300.
The set on offer is an excellent example of the average coins remaining today.  It was my initial foray into Hawaiian coins; I have since shifted to the slabbed/graded higher graded versions and make it available to free-up space, and create cash necessary to further develop my collection.  I am a collector , not a grader, and so my estimating their grade at VF or XF is just that, an estimate.  I have included photos of a graded coin for comparison only ~ I'll leave it to you to determine what you think of them. The coins show care in handling after their initial years in circulation and carry their age extremely well given 137 years passing through hundreds (if not thousands) of hands.  The eye appeal is great, and I think King Kalakaua would be proud of these pieces.  It is time they found their way into someone else's collection where they can be displayed with pride in the details, luster and character they retain.  I must apologize for the quality of the photos, photography is not one of my strong suits.  I am sure you'll agree when you have them in hand, that my photography skills do not do them justice.  I will ship fully insured via USPS Priority mail and thank you for considering this lovely set.