Just Having Fun

2M-34 Restoration Presentation Project?

/ DrDarryl

I recently purchased a presentation piece with 2M-34 obverse and reverse attached to its cover.

I removed the medals and discovered they are uniface pieces (not a medal cut in half nor two separate medals with the undesired side grinded down).

Medallic Art Co. hallmark can be seen upright (matches the side being shown and are opposite of each other)! (see 5th image)

Overall the box is in good shape and craftsmanship is excellent . I ‘m having the piece looked at by an expert to see what is the best way to restore this presentation piece.

I do collect Hawaii Banking memorabilia and this is a nice Bishop National Bank piece.

Here is copy of a good book in my collection ( http://www.ebay.com/itm/STORY-OF-BANK-OF-BISHOP-CO-FIRST-NATIONAL-BANK-OF-HONOLULU-Original-1931-Book-/371229160828?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item566efb757c)

b7 b6

b3 b4 b1 b2

Kikaida 01

/ DrDarryl

I sold a Hawaii vinyl version of  Kikaida 01 to a Japanese collector for over >$1000 US.

Kikaida 01 and other Japanese action heros were popular in Hawaii in the 1970s when the shows were broadcast in Hawaii .

Most of the original Japanese vinyl action figures issued in Hawaii in the 1970s are rare as children would trash them after they were worn out or outgrew them (since they were inexpensive). Most were destroyed. This is the primary reason for their high dollar valuation.

Royal Hawaiian Mint Issues that Commemorate Princess Victoria Ka’ulani

/ DrDarryl

Hard facts from my research that has been incorporated in my  upcoming book:

1) Royal Hawaiian Mint issued over 55 coins with the image of Princess Victoria Ka’ulani.

2) Krause Publication is the only major publisher that has cataloged (less than 15) the Royal Hawaiian Mint Royal Princess Victoria Ka’ulani coins.

3) Royal Hawaiian Mint struck the Princess Victoria Ka’ulani coins in four different metals.

4) The largest Royal Hawaiian Mint Royal Princess Victoria Ka’ulani coin is 39 mm.

5) The smallest Royal Hawaiian Mint Royal Princess Victoria Ka’ulani coin is 10 mm.

6) Royal Hawaiian Mint Royal Princess Victoria Ka’ulani coins were issued in 10 different diameters.

7) The 13 mm Royal Hawaiian Mint Royal Princess Victoria Ka’ulani coin is the diameter with the most issues.

Legation Wax Seal – Kingdom of Hawaii

/ DrDarryl

I visited Gordon Medcalf at his shop in Lahaina, Maui looking for a particular medal. It was quite sometime ago while I was visiting my Maui ‘ohana. My wife is a great-great-great-great-granddaughter of Edward Alden Bailey (Missionary to the Kingdom of Hawaii). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Bailey He is also listed on page 9 of Medcalf & Russell 2nd edition. His former residence is now a museum. http://www.mauimuseum.org/index.php

I asked Mr. Medcalf for a 2MS-3 (Gold Official State of Hawaii medal). He said is just sold one a few days back. I just missed it….This medal still eludes me today….

I then looked around his shop and picked-up a few items.

One item was this legation wax seal still in my collection…

wax

 

Missed Opportunity …

/ DrDarryl

http://www.ebay.com/itm/201326182763?ssPageName=STRK:MEDWX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1435.l2649

For the true Hawaiian historian, a piece of Hawaiiana slipped passed for only $405.

From the auction listing:

“Royal Hawaiian Agricultural Society silver cup awarded to L.L. Torbert for the most productive acre of sugar cane, August 1851.  His name is not engraved on the cup, but the cup was out of his estate.  The engraving on the cup reads: Awarded/By The/ Royal Hawaiian Agricultural Society / August MDCCCLI.  The cup is in nice condition, with slight wear from age, showing natural patina. The cup measures 4 3/4 inches in height and is approx. 3½ inches across the top.”

Turn to page 14 of Medcalf & Russell. Linton Torbert is listed.

 

2nd Place Overall – Whitman Expo Spring Baltimore

/ DrDarryl

My five display case entry (titled: U.S. Mint: The POTUS Appreciation Medal Series) won 2nd place  overall at the Whitman Expo in Baltimore. The 2nd place prize was a 1997 $10 Proof Platinum Eagle.

This was my first-ever numismatic entry in a coin show (I have previous experience with philately entries at stamp shows). The hardest part of the display was to reveal the story without referencing my book (display owner must not be identified). The prominent piece of the display was the June 1960 Hawaii medal (aka M&R 2M-94 or DDE-08) that initiated me to start the research.

Overall, the judges were impressed with the research results and the display. They were really impressed that this was my first ever numismatic entry. Points were taken away with due to some technical display errors.

Now that I have judging feedback, I’m looking at improving the display and re-entering the display with modifications.

From the research aspect of the display, I was offered the opportunity to be a guest speaker at upcoming coin show. This is a good opportunity to get the word out about my newly discovered U.S. Mint medal series.

Several of the judges recommended that (with display improvements) I should enter the display at the national level (an ANA show). I will, if my schedule permits.