Lot 1852
1883 Hawaiian Dollar. PCGS graded Proof 64 Cameo CAC Approved. In a new secure plus holder. A hint of light tone. A clearly superior example to the few others offered. This strikingly beautiful coin is one of the finest ever graded, and a pure joy to hold and study. Bidders who view it at lot viewing will no doubt admire it lovingly under illumination to watch the play of glinting mirror surface mingling with the delicate color. Further to its benefit, a penetrating strike delivers uniformly bold detail on the main features. Each side exhibits conspicuous field-to-motif contrast, indeed, lovely cameo contrast. This is especially prevalent when the coin is tilted under a light. As might be expected for the Proof 64 Cameo designation, the surfaces are nearly impeccable in their preservation.
On the left of the coat of arms is the numeral 1, and on the right D, wihile underneath AKAHI DALA, both meaning, "one dollar." At the bottom of the shield is the cross of an Order instituted by Kalakaua. The obverse of the smaller coins is the same with that just described. However, due to space limitations, they have on their reverse, the arms without the mantle, etc. We would be hard pressed to locate pedigree identifiers for future catalogers and researchers. Pop 1; none finer at PCGS In Cameo Proof. (PCGS #415929).
The motto is, 'Ua mau ke ea o ka aina i ka pono.' The life of the land is perpetuated by righteousness. It refers to the speech of the King at the time of cession, Feb. 25, 1843. 'I have given away the life of the land. I have hope that the life of the land will be restored when my conduct is justified.' It very naturally alludes to the righteousness of the British government, in returning the Island to their legal sovereign, to the righteousness of the Hawaiian which secured the restoration, and to the general principle, that it is only by righteousness that national existence is preserved, explains the American Journal of Numismatics for October 1883, in a lengthy, detailed piece on the then-new Hawaiian coinage.
Estimated Value $25,000 - 30,000.
The Forsythe Collection.
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| Realized $48,300 |
