A closer look at Hawaiian money
Collectors interested in antique money are probably familiar with the special Hawaiian coin issued by the United States government shortly after the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor in December 1941. Residents of the Hawaiian Islands initially accumulated money in case of there was an invasion. However, because the US was afraid that the Japanese would capture Hawaii, they would gain access to this money and use it to fight the US, on January 1. On February 2, 1942, they prohibited individuals from having more than $ 200 in cash and businesses from having more than $ 500.
Residents were asked to hand over their cash and burned it. As of August 1942, the only acceptable currency issued in the United States available for use in Hawaii were the 1935 dollar 1 silver certificates and the 1934 and 1934 dollar 5, 10 and 20 federal reserve notes. from the San Francisco district. All of these notes had brown stamps and serial numbers with Hawaii overprinted on the reverse.
This was considered “emergency currency” that would have no value in the hands of the Japanese, but could be used as money in Hawaii as long as the United States maintained control of the islands. These bills have “Hawaii” printed vertically on the left side of the face of the bill and are overprinted on the back of the bill with the word “Hawaii”. The seal and serial numbers were brown instead of the usual green. This was the only currency available in Hawaii during the war. It was illegal to have the old coin.
What invoices were issued with the “Hawaii” stamp?
The United States Treasury issued $ 1 Silver Certificates that are serially dated 1935A. These are the most common. George Washington is on the bill.
The $ 5.00 Hawaii bills are dated from the 1934 and 1934A series, with a brown stamp. They may be worth more, depending on your condition and serial number. Abraham Lincoln is on every bill.
The $ 10 Hawaii note was issued with the serial date 1934A. The uncirculated $ 10.00 Hawaii bills are the rarest of the four denominations. Alexander Hamilton appears on the obverse of these banknotes.
Brown stamp $ 20.00 Hawaii banknotes are also available in the 1934 and 1934A series. These are valuable in uncirculated conditions, but quite common in average conditions.
How long were they in circulation?
On October 21, 1944, the monetary restrictions were lifted and normal monetary conditions were restored in that area. Most of the surviving bills are those belonging to military personnel stationed in Hawaii.
What are they worth today?
The Treasury Department redeems all genuine US currency for its face value only. People who want their banknotes valued should look for a company that deals with old banknotes or rare banknotes. The value of the banknotes depends on their condition (with uncirculated banknotes that are worth more than those that have been in circulation), as well as on the serial numbers and numerical issues.
$ 1 Hawaii bills can be worth up to $ 100 in perfect condition. Hawaii’s $ 5 and $ 10 bills can be worth over $ 200 in perfect condition. There are three $ 20 Hawaii Star bills: $ 20 Hawaii Mule Star Bill, $ 20 1934 Hawaii Star Bill, and $ 20 1934 Hawaii Mule Star Bill. They can be worth up to $ 400 at $ 600 in perfect condition. A mule ticket is a small-size ticket with mismatched plate numbers. A star bill has a star symbol at the beginning or end of the serial number, indicating that the bill is a replacement because an error was incurred in the printing process that made a bill unfit for entry. trading system, for which it was replaced by a star note.
If you have Hawaii bills or any other rare currency, or want to buy it, the best thing to do is go online and compare the values listed by various companies that trade rare money. You can also search eBay to see the selling prices of the sellers. Most importantly, if you are interested in selling it, find a reputable forex trader who deals in rare paper money.