1934 $20 Silver Certificate “HAWAII" Note Brown Seal

• Created after Pearl Harbor, each 1934 $20 “HAWAII” Silver Certificate has “HAWAII” stamped on the back to prevent enemy use if Japan invaded.

• The only U.S. currency ever specially marked for security; most were later destroyed, making these notes rare!

• Preserved in Fine to Very Fine (F-VF) condition, each note is a unique piece of WWII history.

One note per purchase In the tense days following the Pearl Harbor attack, Hawaii was on high alert, fearing the possibility of a Japanese invasion. As part of the U.S. government’s response, a unique emergency currency—the 1934 $20 Silver Certificate “HAWAII” Note—was issued specifically for the Hawaiian islands. Recognizing that an invasion could put vast sums of U.S. currency into enemy hands, the government devised a way to prevent this money from aiding the Japanese war effort.

Each of these 1934 Silver Certificate Notes was boldly printed with "HAWAII" on the reverse. This marking ensured that, in the event of an invasion, the government could instantly demonetize these notes, rendering them worthless to the enemy. After the threat subsided, most of these special “HAWAII” notes were destroyed, making surviving examples like this one extremely rare. This extraordinary measure marked the only time in U.S. history that currency was specifically altered for national security reasons.

Each note offered is preserved in a currency holder and grades in Fine to Very Fine (F-VF) condition, providing a tangible and historic link to a defining moment in both Hawaiian and American history.