1991 Hawaiian Silver Ounce - X#MB60, Princess Victoria

Coin Details

Description

The 1991 Princess Victoria gold ounce, cataloged as Krause X#MB60, commemorates Princess Victoria Kawekiu Lunalilo Kalaninuiahilapalapa Kaiulani (1875-1899), the last heir apparent to the Hawaiian throne. This piece represents a different die variety or production batch from the X#MB61 issue, with both sharing the Princess Kaiulani portrait theme. Victoria Kaiulani was the daughter of Princess Miriam Likelike and Scottish businessman Archibald Scott Cleghorn. Born into the Hawaiian royal family, she was named heir apparent by King Kalakaua and sent to England for education in 1889. The overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani in 1893, while Kaiulani was still abroad, effectively ended her claim to the throne. She traveled to Washington, D.C. to plead the Hawaiian monarchist cause but was unsuccessful in preventing eventual annexation. Princess Kaiulani died tragically young at age 23 in 1899, just months after the formal annexation of Hawaii by the United States. Her story has become one of the most romanticized narratives in Hawaiian history, making her image a popular choice for commemorative pieces.

Rarity Notes

Rare. One-ounce gold Hawaiian Mint pieces had very limited mintages, typically 50-200 pieces. The Princess Kaiulani theme is particularly prized by Hawaiian collectors.

Cross References

PCGS #706343; Krause X#MB60