Hawaii Ten Cents

Fantastic Original Set of 1883 Kingdom of Hawaii Silver Coinage

Uniform Choice to Gem Mint State Quality

Complete, Original Set of Mint State 1883 Kingdom of Hawaii Silver Coinage. (NGC).

All examples are individually graded and encapsulated by NGC, the coins of uniformly high Choice and Gem Mint State quality with richly original toning. Obviously an original set, each piece exhibits similar mottled iridescent overtones in vivid cobalt blue and reddish-rose on one or both sides, the base color a softer pearl gray patina. Included are: 1883 Ten Cents. Medcalf-Russell 2CS-1. MS-65 (NGC). NGC Census: 17; 8 finer (MS-66+ finest). 1883 Quarter Dollar. Medcalf-Russell 2CS-3. MS-65+ (NGC). 1883 Half Dollar. Medcalf-Russell 2CS-4. MS-64+ (NGC). NGC Census: 3; 11 finer (MS-66 finest). 1883 Dollar. Medcalf-Russell 2CS-5. MS-64 (NGC). NGC Census: 17; 18 finer (MS-68 finest). Encapsulated in consecutively numbered NGC holders, 5846731-001 through 5846731-004, this is an exciting and rare offering for Hawaiiana collectors that is sure to see spirited bidding. At the time of David Kalakaua's election by the legislature as king of the Hawaiian Islands in 1874, most of the money in circulation was American gold and silver coins, so much so that they were made legal tender. Beginning in 1879, the Hawaiian kingdom began issuing its own paper currency and the following year, a law was passed to purchase bullion from the United States to have a unique Hawaiian coinage produced. In 1883, Finance chair Walter Gibson appointed sugar magnate Claus Spreckels to act as an intermediary between the royal government and the United States Mint. Spreckels worked with Chief Engraver Charles Barber, who then designed a series of coins ranging from ten cents to a silver dollar all of roughly equivalent size to their American counterparts (with the exception of the abandoned one-eighth dollar coin). The coins intended for circulation were all struck at the San Francisco Mint and were shipped to Hawaii where they were used until the 1890s when they were withdrawn after the islands were annexed to the United States. The dollar was particularly hard hit by this withdrawal, for of the 500,000 pieces minted, 453,652 examples were redeemed. Survivors for all denominations are generally circulated, and many are also impaired. This is the finest, most original set that we can never recall handling, and we doubt that a nicer one exists. (Total: 4 coins)

Estimate: 15000