2021-03-10 Wed

Before US Dollars became the official currency, The Hawaiian Islands once issued its own currency and coinage under their own rulers. Dala was the currency of the islands of Hawaii between 1847 and 1898.

Hawaii’s first modern government was established in the early 19th century, but it wasn’t until 1847 that they established a modern treasury and issued currency. Before this, Hawaiians relied on various plantation tokens and foreign coins. The economy was so small it was not difficult to trade in this manner.

The 1847 Kamehameha penny was the first coin issued by the Hawaiian government. The penny was the smallest denomination with several coins in between paralleling the structure and value of the U.S. dollar of the time. They were minted in copper, bearing the portrait of King Kamehameha III on its obverse.

The reverse bears the texted value) HAPA HANERI inside a wreath of 2 olive branches with 34 leaves and 13-18 berries. "Haneri" is Hawaiian for "Hundred". Hawaiian coins continued to circulate for several years after the 1898 annexation to the United States. Act of Congress demonetized Hawaiian coins in 1903.

Image Courtesy: colnect.com