"1891" (1893) Reginald Huth Medal. Queen Liliuokalani. Medcalf-Russell 2MH-1. Silver. Proof-63 Cameo (NGC).
38.1 mm. A lovely choice Cameo Proof example of this important, famous, and beautiful private issue struck to honor the Queen of the Hawaiian Islands Liliuokalani. Frosty motifs and mirror fields display warmly imbued golden-gray highlights, while a veritable artist's palette of bright and lively rainbow iridescence graces the rims. This is a rare type that does not represent a pattern or circulating issue. Rather, these medals were produced by Messrs. Pinches & Co. of London expressly for Reginald Huth's private collection and distribution to friends and admirers of royalty. Huth was a wealthy Londoner and numismatist. He also had limited quantities of medals produced for Spain and Madagascar. The first of the Huth Hawaiian medals appeared in Honolulu in 1901; they remain extremely rare and are seldom offered for sale in today's market. The present specimen, one of just 50 silver Proofs struck, would serve as a highlight in the finest Hawaiiana cabinet. Regarding Reginald Huth (1853-1926) this numismatist and patron of the medallic arts had his estate coin collection sold through Sotheby's in April and June 1927. As a humorous aside, it has been said that Huth's abject terror at the thought of germs led him to wash his coins before admitting them to his cabinet; we wonder if these numismatic baths affected the prices of his pieces when they were sold.
Combined PCGS and NGC Population (all categories): 10.
From our (American Numismatic Rarities') William H. LaBelle, Sr. Collection sale, July 2005, lot 24.

Estimate: $15000