Hawaii Half Dollar 1883

Hawaii Half Dollar (Hapalua) 1883. While Hawaii was independent at this time, it still was under the heavy influence of the U.S.A. and the plantation interests. This series, struck in silver in 1883 under King Kalakaua I, is listed in US coin books. Hawaii became a dependency of the USA in 1900 and a state in 1959.
Nearly 700k were struck but most were melted upon becoming a US Territory. Net mintage after melting: 87,755. Twenty-six re-strike proofs exist. This nice example is a tad better than XF 45 and therefore an AU 50.