"1883" Hawaiian Fantasy Strike - Quarter Dollar, Obverse Hub Impression

Coin Details

Description

This obverse hub impression of the Hawaiian 1/4 Dollar (hapaha) denomination is a uniface fantasy strike showing the obverse design from the original hub. The hapaha (25 cents) was one of the four denominations actually produced for circulation in 1883, making this hub impression a record of the production tooling for an issued denomination rather than an unproduced one. The obverse of the 1883 Hawaiian quarter features the bust of King Kalakaua I facing right, designed by U.S. Mint Chief Engraver Charles Barber. The legend reads KALAKAUA I KING OF HAWAII with the date 1883. This hub impression preserves the design as it appeared on the master hub, before any wear or deterioration that affected working dies during production. Hub impressions of the issued denominations are particularly interesting because they can be compared directly to the circulating coins, potentially revealing subtle differences between the hub design and the finished coins that result from the die-making and striking process.

Rarity Notes

Very rare. Hub impressions of even the issued denominations are scarce, with approximately 10-30 examples surviving. PCGS #511339.

Cross References

PCGS #511339; Medcalf-Russell