1883 Hawaiian Dollar. PCGS graded MS-64. One of the very finest known of this rare and popular issue, with a net mintage of just 46,348, most of which entered circulation. The coin is toned a deep antique gun-metal blue with frosty luster in the fields beneath. A few scattered tick marks can be seen with a glass, but this coin is very solid for the grade assigned, and has the original look and appearance of a gem. On the reverse, the inscription UA MAU KE EA O KA AINA I KA PONO translates to "the life of the land is perpetuated in Righteousness." for King David Kalakaua I.
Behind the scenes, wealthy business tycoon Claus Sprekels had special Congressional legislation passed which authorized silver coinage for the Hawaiian Islands in the amount of 1 million Dala. Spreckels submitted sketches of what he wanted the coins to look like, and Charles Barber, the Mint Engraver created the master dies and hubs. The coins were struck using normal planchets then in use for United States coinage. The coinage began with a few proofs struck in September of 1883, and coinage continued until June of 1884, but was all dated 1883. Soon thereafter, Hawaii became a territory of the United States, and Hawaii was now to use United States coins instead of these Hawaiian coins. Banks were ordered to withdraw all 1883 coinage and return it to the mainland for melting and recoining. Thus, most of the issue was melted, and this 1 Dala coin is extremely hard to find in choice condition.
If you are a Hawaiian collector and have been searching high and low for a really beautiful example of this popular coin, then examine this one carefully, as it is one of the nicest we have ever seen. The PCGS Population Report notes just 14 graded this high, with only 2 graded higher.
Estimated Value $5,000-7,000.
