So-Called Dollar HK-723, King Kamehameha Dollar

Coin Details

Description

The King Kamehameha dollar (HK-723) is a variant of the undated Hawaiian so-called dollar honoring Kamehameha the Great, the warrior-king who unified the Hawaiian Islands by 1810. HK-723 differs from HK-722 in composition or die state, as indicated by the different catalog number, though both pieces share the same commemorative theme celebrating Hawaii's founding monarch. Kamehameha's legacy in Hawaiian culture is immense — he established the Law of the Splintered Paddle (Kanawai Mamalahoe), one of the world's earliest human rights edicts, which protected civilians during wartime. His statue stands prominently in front of Aliiolani Hale in Honolulu, and Kamehameha Day on June 11 is a state holiday in Hawaii. The King Kamehameha so-called dollars are part of a broader tradition of Hawaiian commemorative pieces that celebrate the islands' royal heritage. This variant is cataloged separately from HK-722 in the Hibler-Kappen reference, indicating a distinct metallic composition, die variety, or other distinguishing characteristic that merits its own catalog entry.

Rarity Notes

Scarce to rare. Hawaiian so-called dollar variants can differ in availability from the primary type.

Cross References

HK-723; PCGS #643344