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April 8th 2009. Hawaiian Coins (Hawaiian Money, Part III).
Three stamps in a triptych, a minisheet and a stamp booklet were issued on April 8th 2009 depicting Hawaiian Coins minted in the 19th century.
Hawaiians did not have any official coins prior to 1847. Before that, barter or paper scrip was the chief means of exchange. Many ships visited Hawai’i after Captain Cook’s arrival, so foreign coins were also in circulation, especially Spanish “Pieces of Eight” and American coins.
In 1847, King Kamehameha III issued a copper one cent coin ($6 stamp below middle). But it was not until 1883 that King Kalakaua issued additional coins from the dime (ten cents coin) shown on the $2.50 stamp (below left) to the one dollar coin on the minisheet. Pictured on the $9 stamp (below right) is an eighth of a dollar coin. This coin was never realeased to the public and only 20 proofs were made. Other coins issued in 1883 (not depicted in this issue) were the half dollar and quarter coins. All these 1883 coins were minted in San Francisco, California of 90% pure silver and 10% copper. They matched the size, quality and weight of U.S coins. Many survive today in varying condition and are eagerly sought after by coin collectors.
The $2.50 stamp (left) pays for extra charges, such as additional weight. It shows the 1883 Umi Keneta (10 cents or dime) coin. The obverse shows a bust of King Kalakaua. The reverse shows a wreath topped by the Royal Crown of the Kingdom of Hawai'i.
The $6 stamp (middle) prepays the Overnight Day rate. It shows the 1847 Hapa Haneri (one cent or penny) coin. The obverse shows a bust of King Kamehameha III. The reverse shows a wreath.
The $9 stamp (right) prepays the Same Day rate. It shows the 1883 Hapawalu (one eighth of a dollar or 12.5¢) coin. The obverse shows a bust of King Kalakaua. The reverse shows a wreath topped by the Royal Crown of the KIngdom of Hawai'i.
The background of the stamps shows a rainbow of colors. Hawai'i is very famous for its rainbows which occur frequently and can be quite spectacular and large
The $9 minisheet (above) prepays the Same Day rate. It shows The 1883 Akahi Dala (One Dollar) coin. The obverse shows a bust of King Kalakaua. The reverse shows the coat of arms of the KIngdom of Hawai'i.
. .
The special postmark for this issue (above) shows the a bust of King Kalakaua as it appeared on all the 1883 coins.
A booklet was also released for this issue. The front cover (above) shows three different coins issued in 1883 - 10c, 12.5c and $1 . Each booklet contains 2 triptychs.
WE ACCEPT CREDIT CARDS ON ALL ORDERS
Technical details of the stamps and mini-sheet:
Colors: $2.50, $6 & $9 in a triptych stamps and $9 mini-sheet - Multicolored
Size: Stamps - 32mm x 44mm. Minisheet - 83mm x 51mm.
Stamps sheet size: 8 triptychs (2 across, 4 down). Total 24 stamps.
Perforation: Stamps - perf 12. Mini-sheet - imperforate.
Stamps and Mini-sheet design: Enelani.
Layout & Pre-press: Enelani.
Printer: Hawai'i Security Printers, Honolulu, Hawai'i.
Printing Method: 4-color (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black) printing process.
Sheet margin markings: HAWAI'I POST (top middle), "Traffic Light" showing 4 colors used in printing (lower left side), © 2009 Hawai'i Post (lower right side) & Hawai'i Security Printers, Honolulu, Hawai'i. (bottom middle)
Paper: GPA coated white stock with water-activated gum on the back.
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