Lot 1870
1883 Hawaiian 12½ Cent Struck In Silver 4 Grams. Our grade is MS63. Sent to NGC and PCGS with Questionable Authenticity. Sold as is.
In their request to have coins struck by the United States government, the Hawaii government included four denominations: a 1/8th Dollar (Hapawalu), a 1/4 Dollar (Hapaha), a 1/2 Dollar (Hapalua), and a Dollar (Akahi Dala). All of the denominations, except the 1/8th Dollar, conformed to American coins in size, weight and value. Because the Hapawalu would have required specially made blanks, a Dime denomination (Umi Keneta) was substituted for the Hapawalu. No Hapawalus were struck for circulation, but when 20 special presentation Proof sets were made at the Philadelphia (PA) Mint in 1884, Hapawalus were included along with the other four denominations.
Some time after the fact, a person or persons unknown, using dies similar to the official government dies but with "lazy 8s" in the date, struck an unknown number of Hapawalu pieces d’caprice from said dies. These were not authorized by the Hawaiian government, nor were they struck in 1883 (or 1884 for the companion gold and platinum private mintings.) All the same, for years, such pieces have captured the fancy of collectors far and wide, and have been collected right along with the others who are drawn to this small island paradise, two and a half thousand miles off the coast of North America.
Estimated Value $1,000-UP.
The Forsythe Collection.
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| Realized $3,449 |
