1847 Hawaiian Cent

Coin Details

Auction Record

$18,400 MS64 01-01-2007 Heritage Auctions

Description

The 1847 Hawaiian Cent, known as the keneta in the Hawaiian language, is the first official coin produced for the Kingdom of Hawaii. Authorized by King Kamehameha III, this copper cent was struck at a private mint in Attleboro, Massachusetts — a center of American medal and token production — using dies that blended Western numismatic conventions with Hawaiian royal symbolism. The obverse features the bust of King Kamehameha III facing left, wearing a military-style uniform with epaulets, surrounded by the inscription "KAMEHAMEHA III" and the denomination designation. The reverse displays "HAPA HANERI" (Hawaiian for one hundredth, or cent) within a laurel wreath, with the date 1847 appearing on the obverse below the portrait. The Hawaiian cent was produced in response to a chronic shortage of small-denomination coins in the islands. Hawaii’s economy had become increasingly monetized through trade with American whaling ships, merchant vessels, and the growing community of Western missionaries and businessmen who had settled in the archipelago. While foreign coins circulated freely, the lack of an official Hawaiian denomination created practical difficulties for everyday commerce. The 1847 cent addressed this need, though the total production of approximately 100,000 pieces was modest and many coins saw limited actual circulation — contemporary accounts suggest that native Hawaiians initially regarded the coins with suspicion and some reportedly threw them into the ocean rather than accept them as payment. Numismatically, the 1847 Hawaiian cent holds a position of great significance as both the first Hawaiian coin and one of a very small number of coins produced for Pacific Island kingdoms during the nineteenth century. Multiple die varieties exist, distinguished by the style of the numeral 4, the number and arrangement of berries in the reverse wreath, and other minor differences. The coin bridges Hawaiian and American numismatic traditions and remains the cornerstone of any Hawaiian coinage collection.

Rarity Notes

Scarce but obtainable in circulated grades. Original mintage approximately 100,000 pieces, though actual distribution was limited. Well-preserved examples command significant premiums. Several die varieties are known, with some considerably rarer than others. Mint state examples are scarce and highly desirable.

Cross References

Medcalf-Russell 2CC-2; KM-1c; PCGS #10967; NGC #11877