1847 Hawaiian Cent - Plain 4, 15 Berries (7L/8R)

Coin Details

Description

The 1847 Hawaiian Cent in the Plain 4, 15 Berries (7 Left, 8 Right) variety is one of the principal die combinations of Hawaii’s first official coin. This variety is distinguished by two key features: the numeral 4 in the date 1847 is rendered in a plain or open style without a crosslet at the top of the vertical stroke, and the reverse wreath contains fifteen berries arranged with seven on the left branch and eight on the right. The obverse design features the portrait of King Kamehameha III facing left in military dress, closely modeled on the American "Braided Hair" or Coronet Head cent design then in production at the United States Mint. This stylistic borrowing was natural given that the Hawaiian cent was struck at a private facility in Attleboro, Massachusetts, where American coin design conventions would have been the primary reference for the die engravers. The inscription "KAMEHAMEHA III" encircles the portrait with "KA MOI" (The King) below. The reverse bears the denomination "HAPA HANERI" within the berry-laden wreath. The specific berry count and arrangement serve as the primary diagnostic for this die variety, as different die pairs were used during the production run. The 7L8R berry configuration distinguishes this from other known varieties with different berry counts and distributions. Die variety attribution of the 1847 Hawaiian cent has been a subject of careful study by specialists. The Medcalf-Russell reference work provides the standard catalog framework, identifying varieties primarily by the style of the date numerals and the reverse berry count and arrangement. This Plain 4, 15-berry variety represents the most commonly encountered configuration, though all 1847 Hawaiian cents are numismatically significant given the limited total production.

Rarity Notes

The most available die variety of the 1847 Hawaiian cent. Circulated examples appear at auction periodically. Mint state examples are scarce and command strong premiums.

Cross References

Medcalf-Russell 2CC-2; PCGS #245384; NGC #50001; Plain 4, 15 Berries 7L/8R variety