Lot 1472
1883 Hawaiian Dollar. ANACS graded AU-53. Well struck and untoned. As though hand-selected by our consignor, the coin has oceans of mint frost from center to periphery and on both sides, with the bare minimum of light handling marks while surpassing 95% of all others in this grade in terms of eye-appeal. Should be considered by all serious buyers (PCGS # 10995) .
According to author Jacob Adler, "Little had been done before the reign of Kalakaua (1874-1891) about a national coinage. In 1847 the kingdom issued a thousand dollars worth of copper cents bearing the head of Kamehameha III." By the time he took the throne, King Kalakaua dreamt of a coinage imprinted with his image and superscription, which he thought would add to his stature as an independent monarch. He was a highly educated man, far more so than many casual observers would think, fluent in numerous languages, a published author and song writer. In this idea of a national coinage he was abetted by his chief minister, the wily Walter Murray Gibson. Premier Gibson was instrumental in having Claus Spreckels (an equally wily individual, if the histories are any guide) appointed agent of the kingdom to mint the coins in the United States.
Estimated Value $900 - 1,000.
From the 9/09 Hawaii Collection.
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| Realized $1,093 |
