Coin profile
Reported standard-issue mintage / distribution: 10,008
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1928 Hawaiian Sesquicentennial Half Dollar
The story behind this coin
This scarce issue marked 150 years since Captain James Cook’s arrival in Hawaii. Juliette May Fraser’s design paired Cook with a Hawaiian warrior and island landscape. A small authorized distribution, strong territorial demand, and careful handling by collectors made it one of the key classic commemorative types.
Design and symbolism
Obverse: Captain James Cook.
Reverse: Hawaiian warrior and Diamond Head.
Regular issues and mintages
| Regular issue | Mint | Net distribution / collector mintage |
|---|---|---|
| 1928 | Issue / series total | 10,008 |
The figures in this 1928 Hawaiian Sesquicentennial Half Dollar table report the regular collector issues shown for this commemorative. Where sponsors returned unsold coins for melting, the listed quantity reflects net distribution rather than the larger number initially struck.
Key dates
1928