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Kingdom of Hawaii. Kalākaua. 1874-1891. Fantasy Pattern AR Hapawalu – Eighth Dollar – 12½ Cents (18mm, 2.58 g, 6h). After dies by Charles Barber. Dated 1883. KALAKAUA I KING OF HAWAII • 1883 •, bare head right / UA MAU KE EA O KA AINA I KA PONO EIGHTH DOL, crown over HAPAWALU within wreath. Edge: reeded. Cf. Medcalf & Russell 2CS-2 (for official pattern) and pl. 42 (for fantasy strike). Toned. In PCGS encapsulation 49695754, graded AU 55. Rare.
From the Gerald F. Borrmann (Northern California Gentleman) Collection.
At the start of Kalākaua’s reign, the circulating medium in Hawaii consisted of American silver, legal tender to $50, and gold. Copper coins had been issued under Kamehameha III, but saw only limited circulation and had long since disappeared from the marketplace. In 1883, the Kingdom authorized their agent, the businessman Claus Spreckels, to make arrangements for the production of a series of coins in the United States.
Agreements were reached through contacts in the San Francisco mint and soon a series of patterns were created by chief engraver Charles Barber, in Philadelphia. Hawaiian law had earlier authorized coins denominated one dollar, fifty cents, twenty-five cents, and 12½ cents (ie, half a quarter, one bit). However, it also specified that they were to be the same size, weight, and fineness as the coinage of the United States, which had never issued a 12½ Cent coin. Mint director Preston highlighted this discrepancy, but no response came from Hawaii, and so Barber went ahead and created a 12½ Cent pattern. Ultimately, the smallest denomination would be changed to a 10 cent coin, to match the American dimes. Today, the pattern Hapawalu – 12½ Cent is the rarest of the official coinage of Hawaii and key to the series. The present example is from an unofficial fantasy issue, distinguished by the “lazy eights” in the date, that nevertheless remains popular with collectors.
The final winners of all CNG Feature Auction 127 lots will be determined during the live online sale that will be held on 17-18 September 2024. This lot is in Session Three, which will begin 18 September at 9 AM ET.
Winning bids are subject to a 22.5% buyer's fee for bids placed on this website and 25% for all others.
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