I’ve been examining the sterling silver Kamehameha I “with welt” that was  issued by The Hawaiian Mint in 1975 and 1976. The two images are of coins in my collection.

What I have uncovered are two varieties of the AG center punch. The RHM database lists only one AG center punch for “with welt” issues. The Medcalf & Russell book does not reference any for the “with welt” issues.

If you read the description  in the RHM database carefully  it will make sense.

In the RHM database for the year 1976, 2MB-3, Kamehameha I -W, sterling, mintage 350. The description reads “…center punch has hand punched sterling”. What does it mean?  The “center punch AG” has a “hand punch sterling”.  Wait…can this be true?

Below is a sterling silver Kamehameha I “with welt”, with “AG” and “with sterling hand punch”. Notice the incomplete letters in “STERLING”.

 

Now compare it to the rare (only 6 struck)  sterling silver Kamehameha I “with welt”, with “AG” and “NO sterling hand punch”.

 

The astute Hawaiiana collector should know how to spot the two AG varieties on the sterling silver Kamehameha I “with welt”.