1883 Hawaiian Dollar Pattern - Copper, Medcalf 2CPC-4

Coin Details

Description

The 1883 Hawaiian Dollar Pattern in copper, cataloged as Medcalf-CPC4 (Copper Pattern Coin #4), is an off-metal trial strike of the Hawaiian silver dollar design. Pattern coins struck in copper were standard practice at the United States Mint, where copper test strikes were produced to evaluate die designs before committing to production in the intended silver composition. This copper dollar shares the same obverse and reverse dies as the issued silver akahi dala: the Kalakaua portrait obverse and the coat of arms reverse. The copper composition gives the coin a distinctive reddish-brown appearance quite different from the silver originals, and the softer metal produced slightly sharper strikes in some design details. The Medcalf-Russell catalog designates Hawaiian copper patterns with the CPC prefix, and CPC-4 represents one of several copper trial strikes of the dollar denomination. These copper patterns are among the most important pieces in Hawaiian numismatics, bridging the gap between the official silver coinage and the broader universe of pattern and trial pieces.

Rarity Notes

Extremely rare. Only a handful of copper dollar patterns are known. NGC #50035. Major Hawaiian numismatic rarity.

Cross References

Medcalf-Russell CPC-4; NGC #50035