When most people think of Hawaii, the pictures that pop into their heads are of opulent hotels lining Waikiki Beach, helicopters that fly between islands carrying grin-filled guests, and surfers and snorkelers taking in the clear Pacific Ocean. But when the British navigator Captain James Cook came upon the islands in 1778 while traveling across the Pacific, he discovered quite a different area.

James Cook first set foot in Waimea Bay on Kauai Island on January 20, 1778. The natural beauty he saw was untainted by Western culture. But after that, the incident would permanently change Hawaii's history. Cook would be recognized as the chain of beautiful islands' "discoverer."

The islands' history had undergone numerous changes, including periods of British dominance, nominal independence, and, finally, annexation as a territory of the United States in 1898. On the 150th anniversary of Cook's expedition in 1928, Hawaii's residents planned a number of unique festivities to commemorate the sesquicentennial of the British explorer's visit since they were well aware of his influence in changing the course of that history. They requested permission to issue a commemorative coin of the United States as part of that event, with the proceeds from its sale going toward creating a Cook memorabilia collection in the territory's archives.

Among all U.S. commemorative releases, the 1928 Hawaiian Sesquicentennial half dollar proved to be one of the rarest and most valuable of all U.S. coins.

1928 Hawaii Sesquicentennial Half Dollar

The 1928 Hawaii Sesquicentennial Half Dollar is among the rarest and most valuable due to its limited mintage and original distribution circumstances. In commemoration of Captain James Cook's 150th anniversary of reaching the Hawaiian Islands, the issue was created.

Chester Beach provided the modeling, while Honolulu-born painter, muralist, and printmaker Juliette May Fraser designed the reverse as well as the obverse.

Only 10,000 pieces of the Hawaiian Sesquicentennial Half Dollar could be produced, which is a small portion of the quantity usually issued for commemorative coins from this era. The Captain Cook Sesquicentennial Commission distributed the coins at a $2 issue price per coin via the Bank of Hawaii. The issue sold out quickly, even though the price was double that of the regular level.

Although the original plan was for half of the mintage to be sold to the mainland and the other half to Hawaiians, most sales went to Hawaiians. This issue quickly outperformed the issue price thanks to a combination of its low mintage and distribution to non-collectors. In a set of all the early commemorative silver dollars, this coin is currently among the most valuable.

Source

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Reference
https://www.britannica.com/biography/James-Cook
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cook_Landing_Site_(Waimea)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chester_Beach
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juliette_May_Fraser
https://en.numista.com/catalogue/pieces25253.html
https://www.ebay.com/itm/386168879837?

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