Month: July 2014

Hard Facts 2MB-147

/ DrDarryl

For the The Hawaiian Mint (THM)/Royal Hawaiian Mint (RHM) collectors: I recommended that you understanding the cross referencing technique between the  Medcalf & Russell book and the Royal Hawaiian Mint database. It will aid you making a decision in making the purchase of a THM or RHM issue.

As an example, there is a 2MB-147 (in 18K gold)  listed today at a relatively large auction site. Lets investigate this specimen identified as 2MB-147.

1) Look on page 135 of M&R. yes, 2MB-147  is listed there.

2) In the RHM database go to the start of the year 1981

3) In the RHM database, find the die pair (obverse King Kalakaua and reverse 1981 Aloha Pineapple) matches.

4) Did you get 3 rows with the die pair match? (24K gold, sterling and bronze)

5) No 18K is  listed for the die pair match. Something fishy is happening…

6) Search for the M&R term 2MB-147. Any hits? The fish is smelling bad…

Conclusion: No 18K is listed for the die pair (Medcalf & Russell is in error). BVN did take the time to cross reference his issues with the M&R book. 2MB-147 simply does not exist (in 18K gold). There is a single 24 K gold listed in the RHM database (maybe…maybe not..). I would do a one-on-one inspection of the coin to determine is its gold plated or 24K gold.

I have a suspicion that the 2MB-147  listed is a gold plated bronze. Someone simply used M&R book to add the identifier 2M-147 on the holder. I recommend you ignore the label and inspect the coin carefully.

If you go back to the RHM database and look at the other obverse designs with the Aloha 1981 Pineapple reverse.  The Kamehameha I match is labeled  gold plated. As well as the Madame Pele match. The Captain Cook is not labeled gold plated as well as the Kalakaua obverse.  It can be said that the RHM database is in error for not listing these two (Captain Cook and Kalakaua) as gold plated. I did update my personal copy of the RHM database with this error. As for the auction listing, no thank you…I’ll pass on it….

By the way here is a bronze1981 pineapple that is not gold plated https://thehawaiiananumismatist.com/2013/11/02/1981-uniface-pineapple-design/ Would this coin sell as a bronze? Maybe as a gold plated bronze….

 

 

Unraveling the 2MB-44 Mintage Figure

/ DrDarryl

2MB-44 is 21 mm coin with the  King Kamehameha I obverse and 1981 Pineapple design reverse. The “Pineapple” design has the words “ALOHA / 19 / (center figure of a pineapple) / 81 / MINTED ON THE BIG ISLAND”. Medcalf & Russell (M&R) indicates it’s bronze with a mintage of 650. The Royal Hawaiian Mint (RHM)  database indicates it’s bronze that has been  gold plated and with a mintage of 1250.

Note: M&R describes the coins as “MINTED ON HAWAII”. In reality, it’s “MINTED ON THE BIG ISLAND”.

Note: The gold plated coins can be easily spotted with the proper knowledge.  I’m not sure why The Hawaiian Mint issued a 24KT version and a gold plated version of the same coin design. It actually helps dishonest individuals immediately, by removing the gold plated coin from its packaging  and selling it as an actual  gold coin without its packaging. As a warning, I urge you to know the difference between a real gold coin and a gold plated coin.

I have to believe by the RHM mintage figure of 1250. In addition, M&R never mentioned that 2MB-44 is gold plated bronze.

One of the basic collector rule is to keep all original packaging of the item being collected. It will aid in authentication and help boost its resale value.   Below is a 2MB-44 in its original coin holder and issued box. The inventory  sticker (MP-P SS) on the top of the box is a normal inventory practice that The Hawaiian Mint used and can be seen on their product packaging. On the bottom of the box is the company’s gold sticker (another practice used to label their products). Both stickers legitimize the box as an originally issued by The  Hawaiian Mint.  As for the coin holder, its all original and sealed.

set5

set4

set3

set2

set1

 

An un-plated uniface version of the pineapple design in my collection can be seen at  https://thehawaiiananumismatist.com/2013/11/02/1981-uniface-pineapple-design/

Anomaly with the 1990 Honolulu Dala (2M-184) with Counterstamp

/ DrDarryl

I’ve noticed and documented (in my personal notes) that the shape of the 1990 Honolulu Dala (cataloged as 2M-184 in Medcalf & Russell) has been altered with the  first day of issue counterstamp. The anomaly is that the shape of the coin is not longer perfectly round.  I experienced the shape anomaly first hand  after trying to fit a specimen I purchased in to a protective 39 mm capsule. It would simply not fit. What I noticed was that the first day counterstamp was struck very close to the edge making the rim expand outward causing the altered shape.

Below are two examples. Look at the rim area near the counterstamp for the shape anomaly.

 

tf2

1990round

 

Page 308 of the book Unusual Wold Coins 6th Edition, by Cuhaj & Michael, issued by Krause Publications list the coin as X#MB52 and provides an image that also reflect a more pronounced  shape anomaly.

The shape anomaly is attributed to the size of the counterstamp. The counterstamp on this coin is 13 mm, where as the other RHM counterstamp coins use a 10 mm counterstamp.

07/26/2014 – Rare Bronze Royal Hawaiian Mint Medals Sold on eBay

/ DrDarryl

Two rare sleeper bronze medals were on eBay this evening. I called them sleepers because they are relatively unknown to the the Hawaiiana specialist. One sold with no opposing bids. The other ended with an auction war.

The first sleeper was a 1990 Honolulu Dala pattern in bronze with gold plating. Mintage is a scant 45 specimens. The hammer price was a mere 92 cents. Yes, 8 cents shy of $1. Listed in the RHM database and unlisted in M&R.

1990dala

The second sleeper  looks like a 1883-1983 King Kalakaua Centennial bronze pattern with a mintage of 90. I suspect a bidding war  from two perspectives occurred.  There was a pattern bidder (believed the coin was a bronze pattern). There was a mule bidder (believed the coin was a bronze mule).

The coin is  really a rare bronze mule  with the 1883-1983 King Kalakaua Centennial  obverse mated with a  “THE HAWAIIAN MINT 1975 /HONOLULU, HAWAII” reverse. This is the first time I have seen the die paring and the first time I seen the reverse die used. The reverse design is not documented in the RHM database nor M&R.  The final hammer price was $160.49.  This specimen is interesting as it was part of a 100th Anniversary Centennial Collector Set with original COA and wooden box.

The King Kalakaua Centennial mule’s  image is below and I believe this blog entry is the first to identify its existence. I can render a guess that only a handful of King Kalakaua Centennial mules were made  (as test strikes) and the specimen that was sold was mixed up with inventory of the 1883-1983 King Kalakaua Centennial bronze patterns. This is most likely how it was placed  in the set.

kkk

 

 

2004 Waikiki Aquarium 100th Year Commemorative

/ DrDarryl

As a child growing up on Oahu, I visited the Waikiki Aquarium on grade school field trips and with my family. It was a very exciting place to visit growing up in Hawaii.

I’m still investigating issues by The Honolulu Mint. Below is a result as part of my research. From my contact with the Waikiki Aquarium, they sold out their inventory back in 2004.

The image below is of the elusive 2004 Waikiki Aquarium 100th Year Commemorative that was struck by The Honolulu Mint. The reverse has “SL” minters initial. SL= Stan Lee.

This coin will be assigned a THN number…

waikikimedal

 

 

The 1980 Hawaii ANA Convention Medal

/ DrDarryl

The Kingdom of Hawaii Kalakaua Akahi Dala is an iconic coin design that is replicated by various mints. One  specimen of particular interest and  can be easily identified is the 1980 Hawaii ANA Convention Medal.

If you look closely on the obverse, next to the left dot is the year 1980.

This medal is unlisted in Medcalf & Russell and a THN number will be assigned.

1980ana

Updated: Hawaii the 49th State Error Medal

/ DrDarryl

Original blog entry: https://thehawaiiananumismatist.com/2013/05/28/hawaii-the-49th-state/

If you understand the NGC requirements to get a specimen properly numerically graded (PR 1 – MS70) you will understand why the HK-722, HK-722A, and HK-722B so called  dollars have  an extremely low NGC population.

Current July 2014 NGC population (unchanged since my original blog entry) are:

HK-722: 1

HK-722a: 2

HK-722b: 0 (not even listed)

The HK-722 series  has a dilemma.

The dilemma  is that holed specimens cannot be numerically graded and fall into the DETAILS category. Majority of the HK-722 specimens are holed, thereby eliminating it from obtaining a NGC numerical grade. The hole removes the “49” error. Most specimens are holed. Even the HK example is holed http://www.so-calleddollars.com/Events/Hawaii.html

What does this mean?

If you see an un-holed HK-722 series specimen, its a rarity and it maybe possible to get a NGC numerical grade. And once it does, it  will fall into the elite NGC numerical population that will command a monetary premium by so called dollar collectors or Hawaiiana collectors…

As a side note: I highly recommend that you understand the NGC details grading. It will alert you in avoiding coins/medals  that will hinder its future increase in value as an investment. Mounted, holed, and corrosion are just a few…

You can my collection of Hawaii undated so-called dollars type set at https://coins.www.collectors-society.com/wcm/CoinCustomSetGallery.aspx?s=12173 and https://coins.www.collectors-society.com/wcm/CoinCustomSetView.aspx?s=12173

Honolulu Coin Club Medals

/ DrDarryl

Only the 1990 Honolulu Coin Club 35th Anniversary medal (2M-182) is cataloged in the book, Hawaiian Money:  Standard Catalog, 2nd edition, 1991,  by Medcalf and Russell (M&R).

I used the term “only”, since there are two prior medals not cataloged in M&R. The 25th Anniversary and 30th Anniversary was not cataloged.

There are actually 4 Honolulu Coin Club medals that were not included in  the 1991 M&R  catalog.

In the book, Honolulu Coin Club Collectibles Catalog (and Related Items), 1984 , by Kam & Matsuda, they were assigned the following catalog numbers:

KMM-1 – 26 mm, undetermined metal, antique finish, mintage of less than 100

  • Obverse: HONOLULU COIN CLUB / 25th / ANNIVERSARY / 1955 – 1980 / (Aloha Tower with Diamond Head in background)
  • Reverse: HAWAII’S OLDEST COIN CLUB / HONOLULU COIN CLUB / (Hula girl in center)

KMM-1A:  26 mm, undetermined metal, shiny finish, mintage of less than 100

  • Obverse: HONOLULU COIN CLUB / 25th / ANNIVERSARY / 1955 – 1980 / (Aloha Tower with Diamond Head in background)
  • Reverse: HAWAII’S OLDEST COIN CLUB / HONOLULU COIN CLUB / (Hula girl in center)

KMM-2: 39 mm, silver, mintage of 100, serialized

  • Obverse: HONOLULU COIN CLUB / 30th / ANNIVERSARY/ (Aloha Tower with Diamond Head in background)
  • Reverse: HAWAII’S OLDEST COIN CLUB / 1955 – 1985 / (Hula girl left of  the 8 major Hawaiian islands)

KMM-2A: 39 mm, bronze, mintage of 100, serialized

  • Obverse: HONOLULU COIN CLUB / 30th / ANNIVERSARY/ (Aloha Tower with Diamond Head in background)
  • Reverse: HAWAII’S OLDEST COIN CLUB / 1955 – 1985 / (Hula girl left of  the 8 major Hawaiian islands)

The images are copyrighted from the book, Honolulu Coin Club Collectibles Catalog (and Related Items). The Honolulu Coin Club is still active and this blog entry is just making Hawaiiana collectors aware of their existence.

If you want the catalog it will cost you some $$:

http://www.amazon.com/Honolulu-Collectibles-Catalog-Related-Edition/dp/B00KJ476Z4

hcc

Off on a Tangent – The Wake Island Token

/ DrDarryl

When I was between the ages of 4 through 6 years old I lived on an atoll in the Pacific Ocean called Wake Island. My family  lived a few hundred feet from the beach. My dad was assigned to the island as a US Government worker. There was a post exchange, commissary, outdoor movie theater, government housing, and school.

Prior to me starting kindergarten,  I spent my days on my own beach with my little brother. It really was my own beach. When we arrived at the beach (with mom’s permission), I would look as far as possible to the right, then left. No one was on my  beach. With bucket in hand, we would capture all the sea creatures on the beach (we were not allowed to go in the ocean).  My little brother and I would go to the beach daily with our toys of the day.

On my first day of kindergarten, the class was introduced to the class pet. A deadly and poisonous lion fish. The class rule was never stick your hands in the fish tank.  After the school day, it was back to the beach. Every once in a while dad would take the boys (my three other brothers) 4-wheeling in a military jeep. We would also tour the flight-line and go around the atoll.

I also still remember dad and his friends would go diving and bring back things from their dives (black coral, large shells, and  Japanese glass balls (fish net floaters)).

Many wonderful memories on Wake Island.

Below is a Wake Island “token” being shown at a few websites.

wake

 

Well,  you know that I had to investigate this so called “token”.

It turns out it is actually part of a Japanese produced  lighter. I acquired the lighter as a present for my dad. My dad does not smoke, but it would be a good piece for his “past travels collection”.

wakelighter