An online auction house (not eBay) was selling an 1984 gold Hawaii coin in BU condition.

Provided information and images were not very helpful. However my snooping identified it as a gold IKI.

I’ve been watching this coin since February 5th.

I did some moderate visual investigation.  I determined it was 13 mm based on the cardboard flip size.

I saw the words IKI and STATEHOOD on the reverse.

I placed my absentee  bid days in advance.

I watch the online bidding today. Within a minute my absentee bid won !

The coin is likely to be a BU 1984 Kalakaua Gold Statehood IKI in 18 KT with a mintage of 218. This purchase was based on the visual inspection of blowup poor quality pictures….

Live Friday night auction (not eBay). $350

Did you know that this ingot was struck by Franklin Mint for Deak International?

Does 2SI-9 really exist?

I recently acquired a 2SI-8. This ingot is also listed in the book: Guide Book of Silver Art Bars by Archie Kidd, 6th ed, 2008, on page 21.

This book sells between $275 – $400. The old numismatic adage “Buy the book before buying the coin.” may not be cost effective here. 2SI-8 has a retail value of $70. However, it does have a limited mintage of 250. Snippets of page 21 from the Kidd book indicate that it’s identified as DEAK-2. Also, Franklin Mint is listed at the minter (Deak International is really the issuer).

The Kidd book does not list the 1 oz Hawaii (aka 2SI-9), however the Dallas and London 1 ounce silver ingots are listed. Is M&R incorrect? Is Kidd incorrect?

I still like that fact that two books (Medcalf & Russell and Kidd) report the same 250 mintage figure for the silver 1/2 ounce ingot. This is a very small number based on the documented Hawaii silver ingots in the M&R book.

Besides, I can always tell people that I have been at the top of Diamond Head multiple times. (My father worked in the crater when the FAA facility was located there). Do you know how many US National Geodetic Survey markers are at the top of Diamond Head?

The Meredith Princess Kaiulani Mahalo Dala

Obverse: PRINCESS VICTORIA KAIULANI HEIR APPARENT 1891 / 1994 / HAWAII / RHM / (bust of Princess Kaiulani)

Reverse: ROYAL HAWAIIAN MINT / MAHALO DALA / (figure of crown and mantled arms)

39mm, Proof, Silver

Unique Specimen

HISTORY BEHIND THIS RARE AND UNIQUE, 1994 PRINCESS KAIULANI MAHALO DALA: In 1994, I was the author of the best-selling book, (Book Title). My book discusses the sovereignty among the American people. I also became involved in the Hawaiian Sovereignty movement after President Clinton signed the November 23, 1993 U.S. Public Law 103-150 (107 Stat. 1510)), apologizing to Native Hawaiians on behalf of the people of the United States for the illegal overthrow of the Kingdom of Hawaii on January 17, 1893 and Queen Liliuokalani, the last reigning monarch of the Hawaiian islands, was imprisoned in Iolani Palace. I wrote about this topic in one of my (NewsLetter Title)  newsletters and was invited, by the Hawaiian people to speak. After my well received speech the Hawaiian Mint Master Bernard von NotHaus, took me on a personal tour of the Royal Hawaiian Mint. Amazingly he allowed me to watch the unique multi-strike proof minting of this unique Princess Dala, I believe the special “Mahalo Dala” backing was his way of thanking me for my support of the Hawaiian Sovereignty movement.

On February 20, 2014, I, (Your Full Name) sold The Meredith Princess Kaiulani Mahalo Dala to Darryl A. Gomez.

(Signature/Date)

Your Full Name

——————————————————————————————————————————-

Above is an example letter of provenance. This really is a unique coin. The coin has a name that will be carried from owner-to-owner. The letter also provides information that traces it from the Royal Hawaiian Mint to current owner to next owner. The letter also establishes the story behind its striking. If you have any questions, my email address is darryl@gwu.edu (I recently place my email address on the “About” page to send me information/images).

I purchased a Hawaiian medal on eBay recently. Only issue was there was postage due. Yes, the Hawaiian Numismatist loss 63 cents on the transaction…

Coin business tip- Please use the eBay’s discount postage app after you weigh the packaged item or suffer a 1 star rating…

Below is an image of an undocumented copper token with the initials  H.C. & S.  These initials match Hawaiian Commercial  & Sugar that was based on the island of Maui from 1882 to the present.

H.C.&S. or simply HC&S was one of a few California incorporated sugar companies from the late 1800’s doing business in the Kingdom of Hawaii. If you know you Maui sugar history, Claus Spreckels (sugar baron and the individual who aided in minting the Kingdom of Hawaii silver coins)  along with Alexander & Baldwin (A&B) purchased the Hawaiian Commercial Company in 1872.

In 1882, HC&S was incorporated as a California Corporation.

In 1896, the HC&S Paia company store was built

In 1898, A&B buys out HC&S from Claus Spreckels . A&B also gain control of other Maui sugar plantations (Paia and Haiku).

In 1899, HC&S buys Kahului Railroad from the Wilder family. HC&S also buys Maui Railroad and Steamship Company from Claus Spreckels. A&B merges these railroad operations to form Kahului Railroad Company.

In 1902, HC&S puts the Puunene mill online.

By 1935, HC&S has 26 plantation camps that houses more than 7,000 employees and their families.

If you noticed I mentioned a few companies with known tokens (Haiku Plantation and Kahului Railroad). Could it be possible that Medcalf & Russell and other authors missed documenting this token?

Additional research is still required to officially list it as a Hawaiian token…

The link is an image to HC&S Kahului store.

http://archives1.dags.hawaii.gov/gallery2/main.php?g2_itemId=894