1871 Hawaiian Plantation Token - Wailuku, Half Rial, Narrow Starfish

Coin Details

Auction Record

$12,000 MS62 12-18-2022 Heritage Auctions

Description

The Wailuku Sugar Company half-real token with the narrow starfish design represents one of the most distinctive plantation tokens in the Hawaiian series. Wailuku Plantation, established in 1862 on the island of Maui in the Wailuku district, was among the earliest sugar operations in the islands. The plantation adopted an unusual denomination system based on the Spanish real rather than American cents and dollars, reflecting Hawaii's position as a multicultural trading crossroads in the Pacific. The half-real, equivalent to roughly 6.25 cents, was the smallest denomination in the Wailuku series, intended for minor purchases at the plantation store. The narrow starfish design, one of two starfish varieties struck in 1871, features a more compact rendering of the sea star motif that served as the plantation's identifying symbol, chosen as a reference to Maui's coastline. At 20mm in diameter, this small token was practical for daily commerce among the plantation's workforce, which consisted primarily of Native Hawaiian and Chinese contract laborers during this period.

Rarity Notes

Rare. The narrow starfish variety is considerably scarcer than the broad starfish type. Surviving examples typically show significant wear from plantation circulation.

Cross References

PCGS #600506; Medcalf-Russell Hawaiian Money; Rulau-Fuld Hawaii listings