Expert: Brad Swain - 6/2/2007

Question
I have a coin that reads (from top to bottom) ALOHA DOLLAR / KAMEHAMEHAI / 1758-1819 / FONDER OF THE / HAWAIIAN / KINGDOM / HAWAII on one side with the picture of a person on the right side and the Hawaiian Islands on the left. On the other side is two people standing on either side of a shield with the word Hawaii under it. The words UA MAU KE EA O KA AINA I KA PONO  are across the top from left to right and THE LIFE OF THE LAND IS PERPETUATED BY RIGHTEOUSNESS go from left to right across the bottom. My mother is unsure of how long she has had it or where she got it. Is this a true coin or a token of some sort?  

Answer
Hi Brooke, there were many modern souvenir pieces issued unofficially for sale to tourists and collectors. Value is based on amount of wear as well as demand for it. I haven't seen or heard of this one before. It may likely be worth $1-$5 or so.
Brad