1998 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF ANNEXATION SILVER DALA

In 1893 a coup of wealthy Americans deposed Queen Liliuokalani. A provisional government assumed control in her place and immediately asked to be annexed to the United States. President Grover Cleveland not only refused to annex Hawaii, but also publicly condemned the leaders of the provisional government and asked then to restore the monarchy. Undaunted, the provisional government reorganized itself and on July 4th, 1894, declared itself to be the Republic of Hawaii with Sanford B. Dole as its president. Requests for annexation was renewed annually... and refused annually... until 1898. That year, the situation was different. After a short-lived war with Spain, the United States had gained a small, but far-flung empire. Puerto Rico and Cuba in the Caribbean plus Guam and the Philippines in the Pacific were ceded to the victorious Americans. To protect these new possessions, America needed a strong navy and a way station in the Pacific to tie its new colonies to the mainland. Hawaii was ideally situated and the port facilities at Pearl Harbor were perfect for this role. On August 12th, 1898, the war with Spain was officially ended and the Republic of Hawaii was formally annexed by the United States. The OIP for the 39mm one ounce .999 fine silver Proof was $??? RE: MINTLINE OCTOBER 1998