A HOARD OF THE HAWAIIAN COINAGE OF KING KALAKAUA I
In 1883 a Hawaiian gentleman named Claus Spreckler commissioned a silver coinage for Hawaii from the United States Branch Mint at San Francisco. Coins with a total face value of one million Dollars were struck in denominations of Akahi Dala (One-Dollar), Hapalau (Half-Dollar) and Hapaha (Quarter-Dollar). The obverses of the coins bear King Kalakaua's portrait while the reverses show the Hawaiian coat of arms and carry the motto UA MAU KE EA O KA AINA I KA PONO; "The life of the land is preserved in righteousness." In 1904 the coins were demonetised and most were melted down.
In 1898 the grandfather of our consignor travelled to Hawaii on business. During his visit he acquired the present hoard of ninety-eight pieces and brought it with him when he returned to the United States, where the coins became family heirlooms. Part of the hoard was apparently purchased from Mr. Spreckler himself, in whose cloth bag a portion of the hoard was stored when it was inherited by our consignor.
Quarter-Dollar, 1883, superb gem mint state
細節
Quarter-Dollar, 1883, superb gem mint state