Lot 1857
1883 Hawaiian Dollar. NGC graded MS-65 CAC Approved. Old Holder. Rainbow toning on both sides. One of the most impressive examples of this grade known, with extraordinary surfaces for a coin of this period. Hawaiian Dollars are rarely seen this fine. It stands to reason, then, that the fields are bathed in luster, while Kalakaua’s curls are well defined by the dies, as are the shield quarters. Accurately graded, to say the least. And fully struck on all the outer areas too including crisp legends, date digits, etc. Foremost, full strength is found where sometimes less-than-clear detail occurs. Toned with lovely natural shades over the luster, and with minimal signs of handling as expected for the lofty MS65 condition. This coin is worthy of a connoisseurs cabinet. Pop 8; 10 finer.
History: At the time this coinage was applied for by the Hawaiian Government, the illustrious American Journal of Numismatics published a lengthy description of the coins in its October 1883 journal. Quoting a part of the opening paragraph provides the modern reader a fuller understanding of the importance of such a coin to numismatists at the time:
KALAKAUA I, the King of the Hawaiian Islands, has recently had dies prepared for striking silver coins for his realm, brief allusion to which was made in the last number of the Journal. These dies were executed at Philadelphia, under the direction of the Mint authorities, and the money is to be struck by permission of our Government in the Mint at San Francisco. There are to be four denominations Dollars, Halves, Quarters and Eighths bearing substantially the same devices. The Dollar shows on the obverse the naked bust of the King to observer's right, surrounded by the legend, KALAKAUA I KING OF HAWAII, and the date, 1883, at the bottom. It is said by those who have seen the coins, that " the profile head of the King compares favorably with that of many rulers of much more important countries," and that " the coinage itself, in beauty of design and character of workmanship, is quite equal to that of many of the older nations of Europe." Whether this be a correct judgment we can better deter- mine hereafter. On the reverse will be seen blazoned the royal arms. The shield is displayed on a mantle, which, in an engraving of the piece we have seen, seems to be ermine. The national " mantle," however, in the arms, is properly the famous feather cloak, such as was worn by Kamehameha the Great, and his chiefs, in the ancient and prosperous days of the islands, and which forms the "royal robe " of the present king on State occasions; above the shield is the royal crown.
Estimated Value $13,000 - 15,000.
The Forsythe Collection.
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