1883 Proof Hawaiian Quarter

Coin Details

Auction Record

$17,250 PR63 01-01-2007 Heritage Auctions

Description

The 1883 Proof Hawaiian Quarter is a presentation-quality striking of the Hapaha denomination, produced in extremely limited numbers at the San Francisco Mint for diplomatic and numismatic purposes. Like all proof coins in the 1883 Hawaiian series, the proof quarter was struck from specially prepared polished dies onto carefully selected silver planchets, yielding a coin of exceptional visual beauty with deeply mirrored fields contrasting against frosted, sculptural devices. The proof quarter’s 24.3mm diameter provides an ideal format for appreciating Barber’s engraving at its finest. The obverse portrait of Kalakaua achieves a three-dimensional quality on proof strikings that business strikes rarely display — the layered texture of the king’s uniform, the detail of individual decorations and medals, and the subtle modeling of the facial features all emerge with photographic precision. Proof Hawaiian quarters would have been assembled into presentation sets alongside the other three denominations for distribution to collectors, diplomats, and government officials. Claus Spreckels, the powerful sugar magnate who financed much of Kalakaua’s coinage program, received early examples. Walter M. Gibson, Kalakaua’s controversial prime minister who helped orchestrate the coinage program, was another probable recipient. The total surviving population is extremely small, and gem-quality examples with full cameo contrast between frosted devices and mirror fields are among the greatest rarities in Hawaiian numismatics.

Rarity Notes

Very rare. Estimated proof mintage between 20 and 50 pieces. Well-preserved examples with cameo contrast are especially desirable.

Cross References

Medcalf-Russell 2CS-5; KM-5; PCGS #10989; NGC #50016; Proof striking