1847 Hawaiian Cent - Plain 4, 17 Berries (8L/9R), KM-1c

Coin Details

Description

The 1847 Hawaiian Cent in the Plain 4, 17 Berries (8 Left, 9 Right) variety is a scarce die combination featuring the plain-style numeral 4 paired with a reverse die bearing an unusually high berry count of seventeen — two more than the standard fifteen-berry reverse. The berries are distributed with eight on the left branch and nine on the right, making this the most fruit-laden reverse die in the Hawaiian cent series. This additional berry count immediately distinguishes the reverse die from the more common fifteen-berry versions. The die engraver evidently prepared this reverse die independently, adding extra berries to fill the wreath more densely. Whether this was an intentional design refinement or simply the result of the engraver’s discretion in a production environment without rigid quality control is undocumented, but the result is a clearly distinct variety that has been cataloged separately in all major Hawaiian coinage references. The designation "KM-1c" refers to the Krause-Mishler world coin catalog numbering system, which assigns this standard number to all varieties of the 1847 Hawaiian cent. Within the KM-1c classification, the berry count and date numeral style provide the variety-level distinctions. The "P4" notation confirms the plain style of the 4, while "17 Berry 8/9" specifies the berry arrangement. Like all 1847 Hawaiian cents, this variety was struck at a private mint in Attleboro, Massachusetts for the government of King Kamehameha III. The total production across all varieties was approximately 100,000 pieces, and the 17-berry reverse die accounted for a modest fraction of that total. Surviving examples in any condition are valued by Hawaiian specialists, and this variety’s lower survival rate makes it a particularly sought-after piece for collectors pursuing a complete set of 1847 cent die varieties.

Rarity Notes

Scarce variety. The 17-berry reverse die is less commonly encountered than the standard 15-berry versions. Circulated examples are uncommon, and mint state examples are rare.

Cross References

Medcalf-Russell 2CC-2; PCGS #245387; KM-1c; Plain 4, 17 Berries 8L/9R variety