The 1881 Hawaii 5 Cent piece isn't very eye appealing, but sure demands an extremely high price tag. These patterns were struck years after the date 1881, and never went into regular circulation.

When looking at this coin, and comparing it with the popular silver issues of 1883 (Dollar, 50 Cent, 25 Cent, Eighth Dol, 10 Cent), you will observe a dull, lack of luster appearance. This characteristic, along with 3 serious errors in the casting of the dies, made this coin unattractive to King David Kalakaua. As a result, the piece was never minted for regular circulation.

The obverse of the pattern features a bust "facing left" of King Kalakaua, rather than "facing right" seen on the more-familiar and attractive 1883 coinage. The obverse legend contains a second blunder, referring to David Kalakaua as the "KING OF SANDWICH ISLANDS" instead of "KING OF HAWAII". The Sandwich Islands was the European name for Hawaii. "KING OF HAWAII" appeared on the popular 1883 coins. The 3rd, and most serious blunder was on the reverse. The motto "Ua Mau Ke Ea O Ka Aina Ika Pono" (May the life of the land be preserved in it's righteousness), starts off with "Au Mau" instead of "Ua Mau". Many of these patterns were struck; The original 5 in Germany, a later ammount in Canada, and Aluminum restrikes by private enterprises. Many of these patterns were distributed to certain designated Hawaiians to do as they wished with them. Many were "cast into the water", (Don Medcalf's "Hawaiian Money") rather than using them as tender, and many were made into key chains, or other jewelry items.

At present, there are 21 pieces certified by PCGS(15) and NGC(6) combined. 9 of them are in MS 64 or higher. I have attached an image of the reverse. Take note of the "third blunder". Aloha,

T