Goldberg Coins and Collectibles

Sale 54

Pre-Long Beach Coin and Currency Auction

The 9/09 Hawaii Collection - Hawaiian Half Dollars

Lot	Photo	Description	Realized
Lot 1422		1883 Hawaiian Half Dollar. NGC graded Proof 62 Cameo. Mostly untoned with a hint of gold tone. Only 26 Proofs struck. One of a pair of lovely cameo Proof 62 Hawaiian half dollars consigned to us, this piece has all the charm and beauty one comes to expect of U.S. Mint-made Proofs of the 1880s, The limited number of Proof survivors never fail to excite bidders when they appear at auction. In addition to unqualified technical superiority, this coin's desirability is enhanced by beautiful strong cameo effect between the frosted devices and mirror-deep field. At the same time that the luster blossoms, substantial detail reveals itself on the highpoints of this exceptional example. All in all a remarkable coin! Pop 2; 1 in 63 Cameo; 1 in 65 Cameo. Estimated Value $6,000 - 8,000. From the 9/09 Hawaii Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $14,375
Lot 1423		1883 Hawaiian Half Dollar. NGC graded Proof 62 Cameo. Attractive blue and gold toning around the edges. Only 26 struck in Proof. This gorgeous coin's deeply flashing mirror field is subtly favored by peripheral toning of a warm amber hue that makes this example a concerto of beauty and powerful visual appeal. What's more, the coin's very small mintage and low surviving population are keys to its rarity, as is the finding that Proof 62 cameos are within hailing distance of the two pieces graded higher. Fully radiant -- an important and rare feature for this sometimes cleaned and hairlined issue -- the devices display metallic pearl-white color whose pitapatation is almost unnerving to view against the mirror fields. No more than the luster comes a desirable strike. This piece is struck with scientific exactness throughout the devices from the specially prepared Proof dies installed in the Mint's hydraulic press used to strike high relief medals and other specialty items. An indispensable purchase for the advanced buyer of rare Hawaiian coins. Pop 2; 1 in 63 Cameo; 1 in 65 Cameo. Estimated Value $6,000 - 8,000. Ex. Edwards H. Metcalf Lot 1215 Feb 1976 Superior Auction; Ron Russell; The 9/09 Hawaii Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $15,525
Lot 1424		1883 Hawaiian Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-64 PQ. 1st generation holder. Well struck and nicely toned. An intensely beautiful Hawaiian half dollar, a coin with excellent luster and a strike that is amazingly close to complete, including all the beard curls. Original toning suggests that the present specimen spent much of its life in an old style coin album or perhaps one of those early craft-paper coin envelopes. Worth a strong bid. When Kalakaua came to the throne in 1874 he had the support of the Honolulu business community. Among its most prominent members were the secular descendants of the missionaries. The American part of the community felt that Kalakaua was favorable to them, and that he could be "controlled. But the King acted with more force and independence than had been expected, which later led to friction with the powerful groups who came to oppose him. Pop 53; 10 in 65; 1 in 66. (PCGS # 10991) . Estimated Value $2,500 - 2,700. From the 9/09 Hawaii Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $4,370
Lot 1425		1883 Hawaiian Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-64 PQ. A nice white coins. Well struck. Silver-white satin luster clings to the surface over both sides and is boldly displayed on this fresh-appearing half dollar. And so to the next qualification, the strike. Here we see quite good detail with not even minor weakness in the sharp centers including all hair curls and the main design features on the shield. Designs were by the Philadelphia Mint's chief engraver, Charles E. Barber, following photographs and designs provided by the Hawaiian government. The chief negotiator between the Hawaiian government and the United States was Claus Spreckels (1828-1908) the sugar baron. Pop 53; 10 in 65; 1 in 66. (PCGS # 10991) . Estimated Value $2,500 - 2,700. From the 9/09 Hawaii Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $3,910
Lot 1426		1883 Hawaiian Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-64. Old green holder. A lovely toned near-Gem, one which eclipses nearly the entire body of competitors in this grade, there are no easily discernible bagmarks on either side. The devices were struck smack on the dot at the required force by the dies leaving behind all design elements plain and clear-cut, with not even an iota of weakness as found on some examples in the same numerical grade. One can almost envisage Kalakaua staring out with keen gray eyes from his sober expression. (Kalakaua often gambled into the wee hours of the morning at his Honolulu harbor boathouse with his poker-playing, drinking buddies.) Pop 53; 10 in 65; 1 in 66. (PCGS # 10991) . Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,200. From the 9/09 Hawaii Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $3,680
Lot 1427		1883 Hawaiian Half Dollar. NGC graded MS-64. A nice white coin. Well struck. Shimmering mint brilliance is seen over each side of this fully struck MS64, we are pleased to report, with the near-gem quality devices foursquare and bold throughout. Pop 29; 5 in 65; 2 in 66. (PCGS # 10991) . "Before the silver coinage of 1883, commonly known as the King Kalakaua coinage, a variety of foreign coins circulated in the Hawaiian kingdom. As the Pacific Commercial Advertiser of Aug. 25, 1883, said: "Honolulu has long been a mine of great resources for devotees of numismatics. Let an American land from one of the steamers or a trading vessel. and go out to make a few trifling purchases. when he returns to his vessel he will have a pocketful of rare and quaintly beautiful specimens of foreign coin from every part of the world. Mexican, Chinese, Danish, Swedish, English and American coins pass current." [Jacob Adler, 1960]. Estimated Value $2,000 - 2,200. From the 9/09 Hawaii Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $4,370
Lot 1428		1883 Hawaiian Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-63. Old green holder. Light hint of gold tone. A frosty and extremely attractive coin that has smooth fields and devices. Pop 57; 53 in 64; 10 in 65; 1 in 66. (PCGS # 10991) . Estimated Value $1,600 - 1,800. From the 9/09 Hawaii Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,898
Lot 1429		1883 Hawaiian Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-63. Deep even blue toning on both sides. A nice strike with a few light bagmarks along with a short lint line on the obverse. Scarce. Of all the Hawaiian silver denominations, the half dollar's was the largest. But the number melted also outpaced the others, with 700,000 made, 612,245 later melted by the government leaving a much smaller net mintage for collectors to fight over. Pop 57; 53 in 64; 10 in 65; 1 ion 66. (PCGS # 10991) . Estimated Value $1,600 - 1,800. From the 9/09 Hawaii Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,070
Lot 1430		1883 Hawaiian Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-63. Old green holder. Mostly untoned and well struck. Another carefully made, attractive example. Pop 57; 53 in 64; 10 in 65; 1 in 66. (PCGS # 10991) . Estimated Value $1,600 - 1,800. From the 9/09 Hawaii Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $2,070
Lot 1431		1883 Hawaiian Half Dollar. NGC graded MS-62. Nicely toned. Although essentially brilliant under the toning, the smooth, frosty surfaces show a decided originality in their color cast at all angles. Net mintage of fewer than 88,000 half dollars after 612,245 pieces were melted (out of the original 700,000 pieces coined). Scarce in mint condition. In a older NGC holder. Pop 46; 64 finer at NGC. Estimated Value $1,300 - 1,400. From the 9/09 Hawaii Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,006
Lot 1432		1883 Hawaiian Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-62. Well struck and nicely toned. Semi reflective surfaces. An attractive of the solid MS62 quality for this popularly collected denomination. Full glinting luster blends smoothly with sharp highlights on the frosted relief. Pop 54; 121 finer. (PCGS # 10991) . Estimated Value $1,300 - 1,400. From the 9/09 Hawaii Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,265
Lot 1433		1883 Hawaiian Half Dollar. PCGS graded MS-62. Nice gold and blue toning. An attractive of the solid MS62 quality for this popularly collected denomination. Full glinting luster ripples smoothly around the sharp highlights of the frosted relief.Pop 54; 121 finer. (PCGS # 10991) . Estimated Value $1,300 - 1,400. From the 9/09 Hawaii Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,438
Lot 1434		1883 Hawaiian Half Dollar. NGC graded MS-62. A hint of light even tone. Rolling in soft mint brilliance over each side of this sharply made specimen. It appears to us as it should to anyone who examines the piece close-up, that all minute detail is fully evident on the bold of the king as well as throughout the ornate shield and coat of arms reverse. The circulating coinage of Kalakaua was struck at the San Francisco Mint between November of 1883 and June of 1884, though all coins bore the 1883 date. The denominations struck corresponded to those provided for in the law of 1846, with one exception: The hapawalu, or eighth dollar, was excluded from regular production in favor of the umi (ten) keneta, or dime. This move facilitated the use of standard USA silver planchets. These silver coins well received (with the usual grumbling by some naysayers), and they remained in circulation after the American annexation of Hawaii in 1898. They were gradually withdrawn thereafter and American coins of the regular types were substituted. Retired pieces were melted. Today, all denominations are fairly common in circulated grades, despite the high melt rates, although genuinely scarce in Mint State. The one exception is the hapaha, or quarter dollar. Many Uncirculated rolls turned up after World War II, and these coins are highly sought by collectors for their flashy luster. Pop 45; 56 finer at NGC. (PCGS # 10991) . Estimated Value $1,300 - 1,400. From the 9/09 Hawaii Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,035
Lot 1435		1883 Hawaiian Half Dollar. NGC graded MS-61. Nice gold and blue toning. The pressure transmitted from the die to the blank reveals itself in sharp details like the hair curls, the moustache, and the main stripe motifs of the shield, as well as the little center escutcheon thereon. The crown at the top of the shield is similarly well detailed. Coming full circle: beautiful color. Pop 26. (PCGS # 10991) . Estimated Value $1,100 - 1,200. From the 9/09 Hawaii Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $863
Lot 1436		1883 Hawaiian Half Dollar. NGC graded MS-61. A white coin. This one leans a little on the prooflike end of the spectrum, which tends to amplify any slight surface marks in the fields (including a minor scuff or reed mark to the right of the date). A lustrous coin all the same and one that has attractive surfaces plus a very good strike. A meticulous strike on every device, in fact, including the high points of Kalakaua's hair and beard. We emphasize this part of the design since a portion of the half dollar and silver dollar issuance shows weakness there. Pop 26. (PCGS # 10991) . Estimated Value $1,100 - 1,200. From the 9/09 Hawaii Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $891
Lot 1437		1883 Hawaiian Half Dollar. NGC graded MS-61. A hint of gold tone. A fully struck, and thoroughly pleasing MS61 coin, the fields and devices give out a burst of frosty luster. Pop 26. (PCGS # 10991) . Estimated Value $1,100 - 1,200. From the 9/09 Hawaii Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $978
Lot 1438		1883 Hawaiian Half Dollar. PCGS graded AU-58. Holder reads PCGS Number 9309 in error. Lightly toned and well struck with soft muted luster throughout. Collectors will appreciate the choice condition of the fields (PCGS # 10991) . Estimated Value $500 - 550. From the 9/09 Hawaii Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $1,265
Lot 1439		1883 Hawaiian Half Dollar. NGC graded AU-58. Attractive gold and blue toning. Semi reflective surface with the central areas on both sides fully frosted. A high-end AU coin for the collector (PCGS # 10991) . Estimated Value $500 - 550. From the 9/09 Hawaii Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $719
Lot 1440		1883 Hawaiian Half Dollar. NGC graded AU-58. Nice golden toning. A sharply preserved example (PCGS # 10991) . Estimated Value $500 - 550. From the 9/09 Hawaii Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $633
Lot 1441		1883 Hawaiian Half Dollar. NGC graded AU-58. Nice blue and gold toning atop lovely lustrous fields and devices. The frosty portrait is especially choice (PCGS # 10991) . Estimated Value $500 - 550. From the 9/09 Hawaii Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $633
Lot 1442		1883 Hawaiian Half Dollar. NGC graded AU-58. Nicely toned. Another exceptionally attractive coin, this one was obviously hand-picked by our consignor for its natural beauty and antique silver color. Frosty throughout with the barest friction from wear at the high points (PCGS # 10991) . Estimated Value $500 - 550. From the 9/09 Hawaii Collection. View details and enlarged photos Check results on similar lots	Realized $633
Lot 1443		1883 Hawaiian Half Dollar. NGC graded AU-50 PQ. Old holder. Lovely blue and golden toning. A lustrous example. All the fine beard detail on Kalakaua plain as day on this bold example. Estimated Value $400 - 450. From the 9/09 Hawaii Collection Ex: Superior Dec 1990 Auction Lot 1745. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $460
Lot 1444		1883 Hawaiian Half Dollars (4). ANACS graded Each AU-50. Each with touches of natural toning. Lot of 4 coins. Estimated Value $1,600 - 1,800. From the 9/09 Hawaii Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,208
Lot 1445		1883 Hawaiian Half Dollars (2). ANACS graded Each AU-58. Both are untoned. Lot of 2 coins. Estimated Value $1,000 - 1,100. From the 9/09 Hawaii Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $834
Lot 1446		1883 Hawaiian Half Dollar. ANACS graded Both AU-55. One is basically untoned, the other nicely toned. Lot of 2 coins. Estimated Value $900 - 1,000. From the 9/09 Hawaii Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $748
Lot 1447		1883 Hawaiian Half Dollars (2). ANACS graded Each MS-60 Details cleaned. Lot of 2 coins. Estimated Value $800 - 900. From the 9/09 Hawaii Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $1,265
Lot 1448		1883 Hawaiian Half Dollars (3). Each NCS graded AU Details improperly cleaned . Lot of 3 coins. Estimated Value $600 - 650. From the 9/09 Hawaii Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $834
Lot 1449		1883 Hawaiian Half Dollars (3). Sharpness of About Uncirculated. All have been lightly cleaned. Lot of 4 coins. Estimated Value $500 - 550. From the 9/09 Hawaii Collection. View details	Realized $834
Lot 1450		1883 Hawaiian Half Dollars (2). ANACS graded Both EF-40. Each with some toning. Lot of 2 coins. Estimated Value $450 - 550. From the 9/09 Hawaii Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $368
Lot 1451		1883 Hawaiian Half Dollars (2). ANACS graded Each EF-45. Each with a touch of royal blue toning. Lot of 2 coins. Estimated Value $450 - 550. From the 9/09 Hawaii Collection. View details and enlarged photos	Realized $368
Lot 1452		1883 Hawaiian Half Dollars (3). Sharpness of Extremely Fine. All have been cleaned. Lot of 3 coins. Estimated Value $300 - 350. From the 9/09 Hawaii Collection. View details	Realized $460
Lot 1453		1883 Hawaiian Half Dollars (2). Sharpness of Extremely Fine. Each has been cleaned. Lot of 2 coins. Estimated Value $200 - 250. From the 9/09 Hawaii Collection. View details	Realized $357
Lot 1454		1883 Hawaiian Half Dollars (3). Sharpness of Very Fine. All have been cleaned. Lot of 3 coins. Estimated Value $180 - 200. From the 9/09 Hawaii Collection. View details	Realized $357