From The Numismatist dated May, 1928, Frank G. Duffield, Editor and Bus. Mgr., Baltimore, MD: After a lapse of more than a year, collectors will shortly be able to add another commemorative half dollar to their collections. The last issue of this class was the Bennington-Vermont coin, issued in early 1927. The new issue will commemorate the sesqui-centennial of the discovery by Capt. James Cook, R.N., of Hawaii in 1778, now an insular possession of the United States. Bruce Scher, image from Pinnacle Rarities; The Hidden Liberty Collection. The act authorizing the issue of this coin was approved March 7, 1928, and is as follows: [PUBLIC—NO. 98—70TH CONGRESS] [H. R. 81] An Act To authorize the coinage of silver 50-cent pieces in commemoration of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the discovery of the Hawaiian Islands by Captain James Cook, and for the purpose of aiding in establishing a Captain James Cook memorial collection in the archives of the Territory of Hawaii. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,That in commemoration of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of the discovery of the Hawaiian Islands by Captain James Cook, and for the purpose of aiding in establishing a Captain James Cook memorial collection in the archives of the Territory of Hawaii, there shall be coined in the mints of the United States silver 50-cent pieces to the number of ten thousand, such 50-cent pieces to be of a standard troy weight, composition, diameter, and design as shall be fixed by the director of the mint and approved by the Secretary of the Treasury, which said 50-cent pieces shall be legal tender in any payment of their face value. SEC. 2. The coins herein authorized shall be issued only upon the request of the Cook Sesquicentennial Commission of Hawaii and in such numbers and at such times as they shall request upon payment by such commission to the United States of the par value of such coins. SEC. 3. All laws now in force relating to the subsidiary silver coins of the United States and the coining or striking of the same, regulating and guarding the process of coinage, providing for the purchase of material, and for the transportation, distribution, and redemption of the coins, for the prevention of debasement or counterfeiting, for security of the coin or for any other purpose, whether said laws are penal or otherwise, shall, so far as applicable, apply to the coinage herein authorized: Provided, That the United States shall not be subject to the expense of making the necessary dies and other preparation of this coinage. Approved, March 7, 1928. Official portrait of Capt. James Cook, R.N., 1775, Nathaniel Dance, from the National Maritime Museum, United Kingdom. The Cook Sesqui-Centennial Commission of Hawaii, for which the coins will be struck and which will have charge of their distribution, is composed of Col. C.P. Iaukea, chairman; Hon. V.S.K. Houston, Bishop H.B. Restarick, A.P. Taylor and Bruce Cartwright. Mr. Cartwright, who is a member of the American Numismatic Association, has furnished us with a drawing of the proposed design for the coin, from which the accompanying illustration is made. In a recent letter from him he gives several details of the issue, which will be of interest to collectors, as follows: Whether this proposed design will be approved or not by the authorities, I do not know. The Captain Cook Sesqui-centennial Commission has set a price of $2 a piece on these souvenirs, which are to be sold to the public by the Bank of Hawaii, Ltd., Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii. No rules as to distribution have as yet been formulated, but I believe no individual will be given more than one coin. A small part of the total issue of 10,000 pieces will probably be set aside to provide specimens for those interested outside of Hawaii. Dealers, approved by the Commission, will probably be allowed to purchase up to 100 coins apiece. The profit derived from the sale of these souvenir coins is to be used in forming a collection of Captain Cook memorabilia for Hawaii. The proposed designs were drawn by Miss Juliette May Frazer, the well known Honolulu artist. The obverse bears a profile bust of Captain Cook to left from a Wedgewood medallion owned by the writer. The reverse shows a Hawaiian warrior chief in full regalia gaining the summit of a hill. This represents Hawaii arising from obscurity. The chief holds out his right hand in welcome. Behind him is a cocoanut tree, denoting romance. In the distance is a Hawaiian village of grass huts, nestled along Waikiki Beach, at the foot of Diamond Hill, denoting history and antiquity. The celebration in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the discovery of Hawaii by Captain James Cook will be held in Hawaii about the middle of August, 1928". This is the only commemorative coin so far issued for the possessions of the United States and should prove a popular one with collectors. the total authorized issue is only 10,000, all of which will perhaps be readily disposed of, notwithstanding the price is fixed at $2. The bill was introduced in Congress by Hawaii's Delegate, Hon. V.S.K. Houston. About 400 coins are to be reserved by the commission for presentation to distinguished guests and visitors at the celebration, to include the officers of the British and American warships assigned to the function. If the Prince of Wales accepts the invitation to be present, he will be presented with one of the "proof coins" about 50 of which were minted. The celebration will be an outstanding function in Hawaii this year. Invitations have been extended to the Governments of Great Britain, and also to her dominions direct - Canada, Australia and New Zealand. A Cook memorabilia exhibit, to be assembled in England by the British Government, may be taken to Honolulu on a British warship and taken away on the same vessel. A descendant of the Earl of Sandwich, after whom the Islands were named by Capt. Cook, is to be invited. A representative of the President of the United States will also be present. More to follow.
Wow that is one gorgeous Hawaii! I need that one and that is just the one. Seeing any of them is too much for me now I'm guessing that one is way to much
Looks like very few really enjoy the history behind our coins. I won't waste any more of my time. :headbang:
... That's a fantastically toned coin and a terrific write up! I very much appreciate your time and effort and the inclusion of visuals. Give the thread more time and for others to read and digest the info. I'm sure there are more who appreciate what you have shared. :thumb: Also would be worth adding the similarity to the 2008 Hawaii State Quarter reverse design:
Leeg your posts like this are great. I've wanted a this coin for along time but didn't know the history you just shared. I for one appreciate what you put together here.
Oh and btw I didnt now you were selling some of your commems!! http://www.cointalk.com/t96876/ That Wisconsin and Iowa have always been real lookers! Wish I wasn't job searching and could get one now
Put me down as one who does appreciate the history and your efforts, I just hadn't seen the thread until now. I am curious about whether or not they atually used the proceeds for the purpose they mentioned. Did they actually create a collection of Capt Cook memorabilia for Hawaii and if so where is it and what is in the collection?
Ditto on not seeing the post until now. I am an interested collector of any related US Territory and Possession Coinage, Medals, Currency and Postal items. I have seen information about this piece but not in the detail you provided. Kudos for a great post and sharing.
Sorry about my earlier comment. Thanks for the thoughts so far. Editorial Comment-Numismatic News Coinage of Commemorative Half Dollars The report of the Bureau of the Mint shows that the issue of 10,000 commemorative half dollars for Hawaii were struck during June. This number is the full amount authorized. The coins were sent to Hawaii for distribution, and it is believed the advance orders from collectors in the United States will have been filled by the time this issue of the magazine reaches its readers. From The Numismatist dtd August 1928
Hawaii State Archives has the Captain Cook Memorial Collection. In this collection is one of the Matte Proof coins and the plaster cast. Unfortunately, it is not digitized.
