1893 Proof Hawaiian Medal - 2MH-4, Reginald Huth, Silver

Coin Details

Description

The Reginald Huth Medal cataloged as Medcalf-Russell 2MH-4 is a silver proof medal from the 1893-1895 period, struck in connection with the dramatic political upheaval that ended the Hawaiian monarchy. The date range encompasses both the overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani in January 1893 and the establishment of the Republic of Hawaii in 1894, making this medal a numismatic witness to one of the most consequential events in Hawaiian history. Reginald Huth was a notable figure in the circle of Western residents and businessmen in late-nineteenth-century Hawaii. His association with this medal series indicates either patronage of the medallic commemoration or a direct role in its production and distribution. The 2MH designation in the Medcalf-Russell catalog identifies this as part of the Hawaiian Medal-Huth series. The dollar-sized silver medal was struck in proof format, indicating production for numismatic or presentation purposes rather than commerce. The proof designation reflects careful die preparation, polished planchets, and precision striking — the same techniques used for the proof 1883 Kalakaua silver coinage produced a decade earlier. The period from 1893 to 1895 was one of extreme political tension in Hawaii. The overthrow of the monarchy by a group of American and European businessmen backed by U.S. Marines, the failed attempt by Royalist forces to restore the queen in 1895, and the subsequent establishment of a republic all generated intense public interest and partisan feeling. Medals and tokens from this period serve as tangible artifacts of these political passions.

Rarity Notes

Rare. The Reginald Huth medal series was produced in very limited quantities. Auction appearances are infrequent.

Cross References

Medcalf-Russell 2MH-4; PCGS #531484; Reginald Huth Hawaiian medal series