This is a Precious Metals Hawaii (PMH) issued 1/2 ounce sterling silver (0.925 fineness) coin. The PMH hallmark is on the reverse bottom.

I will have to send this to NCS to get conserved to remove the clouding and finger prints on the obverse. Even though this coin is not listed in Medcalf & Russell, I have seen a gold 1 ounce version encapsulated and graded by NGC.

Due to the rise in silver prices in the 1980’s, it is generally believed that most of these silver (and gold) coins were melted.

The PMH hallmark is Precious Metals Hawaii and not Pacific Medals Hawaii. I have the original presentation case and box for this coin. The coin was issued without encapsulation.

The gold 1 ounce version of this coin was identified in one of my March 2013 blog entries.

(https://thehawaiiananumismatist.com/2013/03/30/undocumented-gold-find/)

Identified a new die variety on the 1992 dated Princess Kaiulani 1/10 oz silver.

New initials located on the bottom left of her neck. Initials seems to be an “W” laying over the letter “b” with the lower part of the “W” sharing the middle part  of the letter “b”.

The 1992 dated design is bold and the Princess has more dept. Her cheeks are rounder.

As you can see from the top two coins,  die deterioration has occurred (RHM on bottom, “APPARENT”, and “1891”).

When comparing the top coin with the middle, you can see that the same reverse die was used with the middle coin having more detail deterioration.

As for the new die, this is the first time I have held and studied the coin. Coin detail is beautiful and frosted on the design elements.

Click the image to enlarge.

Additional platinum and gold 1/10 Kaiulani coins. On the gold 1/10 oz, notice the die deterioration in “E” of APPARENT, “8” of 1891, and RHM under HAWAII

I purchased this during my last vacation to Hawaii (September 2013).

Just purchased a HK-535 Alaska-Hawaii Statehood medal sight unseen in uncirculated condition.

I made previous purchases from this dealer and was satisfied with each purchase. This is an old school dealer which sells by listing and provides no images.

At least the dealer uses email to reserve the coins, but still requires payment by certified check. Picture will be provided as soon as its delivered.

Here is an online listing of the medal series:

http://www.so-calleddollars.com/Events/Alaska_Hawaii_Statehood.html

As previously promised in one of my October blog entries, below is an image that compares two versions of the 1997 King Kalakaua Hapalua Dala. Both coins are dated 1997.  The coin on the right is from an error-ridden RHM set I recently purchased.

As the image of the COA indicates,  only 88 were struck and were serialized (serial number 51 is currently my collection).

The coin on the right has no serial number and came from an error-ridden RHM set (wrong coins in set).

I believe this may be a unique piece without serialization, since it was inadvertently placed in the error-ridden set.

Be astute, informed, and look for deals…not in this case

http://www.greatcollections.com/Coin/148861/Hawaii-ND-Queen-Liliuokalani-24-Karat-Gold-Medal-266-Grams-ANACS-MS-63-DCAM

http://www.greatcollections.com/Coin/148859/Hawaii-ND-Princess-Kaiulani-24-Karat-Gold-Medal-275-Grams-ANACS-MS-64-DCAM

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Proof-Gold-Hawaii-Coin-Pair-Queen-Liliuokalani-Princess-Kaiulani-ANACS-DCAM-/161140824015?&_trksid=p2056016.m2518.l4276

These are Honolulu Mint products read my old blog entry of the Honolulu Mint’s hallmark.

A very special 1996 Royal Hawaiian Mint Silver Proof Set was repeatedly ignored by collectors at an auction website. I have to admit, I also ignored the contents of the set, however I have been monitoring the set’s price as the seller was lowering its price on each auction re-listing. There were subtle hints  in the listing’s description if you read it carefully.

Over this past weekend I made the connection and pounced on this very special 1996 Royal Hawaiian Mint Silver Proof Set and became its new owner. What makes this set very special?

First lets’ review the contents of a normal 1996 Royal Hawaiian Silver Proof set. The set has a total mintage of 1250. The set includes five coins:

• 1996 King Kamehameha Sovereign Akahi Dala (first day of issue sets have the date 5-16-96 above the last letter A of DALA) 1 oz. (individual mintage 2850)

• 1996 King Kalakaua Hapalua Dala ½ oz. (individual mintage 1295)

• Undated 200 LA HO’OMANO’O 200th Anniversary Hapaha Dala ¼ oz. (individual mintage 1315)

• 1996 Queen Liliuokalani Hapaumi Dala 1/10 oz. (individual mintage 1350)

• 1996 Princess Kaiulani Hapaiwakalua Dala 1/20 oz. (individual mintage 1375)

These are rather high mintages for RHM (for the entire set and individual coins).

What makes my newly acquired 1996 Royal Hawaiian Silver Proof set very special? Well, if you have looked closely at four of the five coins you would have seen it as an error set. Yes, an error set.  The very special 1996 Royal Hawaiian Silver Proof Set I purchased has the following five coins (significance traits are underlined and bolded):

• 1998 King Kamehameha Sovereign Akahi Dala 1 oz. (individual mintage undocumented)

• 1997 King Kalakaua Hapalua Dala ½ oz. (documented mintage 88 and has engraved serial number). This is a specimen without an engraved serial number.

• Undated 200 LA HO’OMANO’O 200th Anniversary Hapaha Dala ¼ oz. (individual mintage 1315)

• 1997 Queen Liliuokalani Hapaumi Dala 1/10 oz. (individual mintage undocumented)

• 1997 Princess Kaiulani Hapaiwakalua Dala 1/20 oz. (individual mintage undocumented)

As you can see, this 1996 holder holds non-1996 dated specimens. This is a significant error. As pointed out in the bold and underlined text, four specimens are undocumented and are either pattern coins or low mintage test strike coins.

The RHM publically available mintage information have undocumented mintages for four of the five coins. It is also highly unlikely someone tampered with the sealed set and replaced them with rarities.

Rarities?  Here is my analysis of the coins.

• 1998 King Kamehameha Sovereign Akahi Dala 1 oz – This is the first example of the date and Akahi Dala design I have seen.  The dated obverse die was later paired with the 1998 Hawaii Convention reverse design. The dated obverse die was also paired with the $10 Dala reverse design, thus creating X# MB154 (mintage 30). The 1998 King Kamehameha Sovereign Akahi Dala may just be an unique coin.

• 1997 King Kalakaua Hapalua Dala ½ oz – This is the first example I have seen of an un-serialized version of this coin. RHM documentation (COA) indicates there are 88 specimens with an engraved serial number on the reverse. This may be the only one without a serial number, thus making it an unique un-serialized version specimen.

• 1997 Queen Liliuokalani Hapaumi Dala 1/10 oz – This is the first 1997 dated silver specimen I have seen and should be elevated  key coin for the Queen Liliuokalani series collector.

• 1997 Princess Kaiulani Hapaiwakalua Dala 1/20 oz – This is the first 1997 dated silver specimen I have seen and should be elevated as a key coin for the Princess Kaiulani series collector.

This error assembled 1996 Royal Hawaiian Silver Proof Set is serial numbered 0754. Pictures are forth coming once I have received the set.

Are there more sets like this out there?

These are the coins I sold to continue while working on my Masters degree…

My collection also included several un-certified Hawaii Statehood medals.

Collection funds were put to good use….GPA 4.0, graduated with honors, and it also lead me to apply for a PhD program

I previously owned the current plate coin now used  at the Hawaii lop level web page at NGC. I ordered two PhotoProofs. One to held with the coin and the other locked up for insurance purposes. While working on my Masters degree at Johns Hopkins University, I unloaded most of my collection as it sat idle and the funds were more productive toward my education (I also did that with my Bachelors degree).

I still have the PhotoProof certificate of the MS 66 Kingdom of Hawaii 25c in my library.    Here is the NGC website link

http://www.ngccoin.com/NGCCoinExplorer/SubCategory.aspx?SubCatID=82&Designation=MS&PopSubCat=us-hawaii

Click the image to enlarge…