LOT Superior Galleries  /  Superior Galleries FEB 18-19, 2002 Coin Sale - 3  / 

2109

Hawaii 1883 Silver Dollar NGC MS65

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:12,500.00 - 17,500.00 USD
Hawaii 1883 Silver Dollar NGC MS65
Hawaii 1883 Silver Dollar. 1883. King Kalakaua I. NGC graded Mint State 65. Superb! <b>We prefer to reserve our italicized superb! designation for Mint State 67 and higher quality, but in this instance we think you will agree the lot being offered deserves special mention. For without mincing words this is one of the handsomest dollars from the Kingdom of Hawaii we have ever offered. Most collectors never get a chance to see even a single Uncirculated version of King Kalakaua's crown of the world, his dollar-size denomination. Yes, there were 500,000 minted; but of those, only about 45,000 escaped melting. And nearly all the ones in existence show some signs of wear or circulation handling. The Hawaiian dollar in this lot has beautiful multicolor toning on both sides. It has a bold, 100% full strike. It has sleek "cartwheel" like luster, which spins and dances around the surface when the coin is tilted under direct lighting. It has impeccable surfaces. And it has NGC's respected imprimatur in the "65" grade (holder #1636073-001, by the way). Once you discover our color photograph at the beginning of the catalog, we are sure it will have your undivided attention as well! King Kalakaua I (there was no princely heir, hence, no Kalakaua the Second) was by common agreement, a man of distinction and aristocratic demeanor. Yes, he did have his foibles, like many a monarch of his day, he was a heavy drinker, he liked to play poker, but he was also highly educated for a king. Kalakaua spoke several languages fluently, was adored by his native Hawaiian subjects as well as respected by the high state officials of Europe and Asia whom he met during his world tour in 1881-2. He led a small island kingdom situated about 800 leagues off the coast of the Americas at the Cancerous latitude of Mexico, where his reign spanned close to 17 years in the final quarter of the nineteenth century, some of them tumultuous. Pertinent to collectors, he had designed and struck a series of silver coins bearing Hawaii's Coat of Arms and his proud right-facing profile. These were all dated 1883, and when they first reached circulation in Honolulu in late 1884, were the talk of the town. With the proceeds from their issue he built himself a new palace. He also bought a navy. Notice that we say "bought" not built. He acquired a decrepit sold steamer, outfitted it for war, manned it with some rejects dragooned from the Honolulu jail, and sent it proudly off to Tahiti with flags waving, where its crew mutinied and sent his Royal Highness's Navy to the bottom of the Pacific Ocean! Dimes, Quarters, Half Dollars, and this Silver Dollar denomination to the amount of $1 million face value were minted. The dies for each coin were prepared at the Philadelphia Mint on contract with the Hawaiian Government. The dies were shipped to San Francisco where the coins were struck at the same standard as regular issue United States coins. Only the quarters are readily available in Uncirculated grades. The other three denominations are scarce to very scarce, with high end specimens, like this lovely Mint State 65, drawing nods of agreement and wide-eyed stares of envy whenever one makes an appearance.</b> <p align="center">Superior Galleries was founded in 1929 and has been a leader in
the numismatic auction business since 1971.</p> <p align="center"><b>Consignments wanted for June 2 & 3, 2002 Pre-Long Beach Sale.</b></p> <p align="center"><b>Call Steve Deeds</b> at (800) 421-0754 ext 230.</p>
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