Lot 1812
1881 Hawaiian Pattern Five Cents. . Medcalf-Russell 2CN-1. PCGS graded MS-64 CAC Approved. In a new secure plus holder. Pop 6; 5 finer, 1 in 64+, 2 in 65, 2 in 66. Lovely light golden toning. Swirling cartwheel luster blends naturally with pale golden highlights on the satin surfaces. King Kalakaua’s bust faces left (on the similar silver issues of 1883, the bust faces right). The obverse legend contains an unintentionally insulting blunder, referring to Kalakaua as the KING OF SANDWICH ISLANDS instead of Hawaii. The Sandwich Islands was the European name for Hawaii and so-named for the British Earls of Sandwich. Sandwich Islands was the name given to the Hawaiian Islands by James Cook in the 1770s, which explains the origin of the now archaic usage.
In all, 200 1881 patterns were struck. Few were acquired by numismatists, hence their rarity in choice to gem condition. According to Medcalf, "many of the coins became pocket pieces or were fashioned into jewelry."
The present MS64 specimen provides a major gift for the Hawaiian rarities collector. An exemplary coin, it still exhibits beaming luster under medium golden-gray toning. The surfaces are outstanding (PCGS # 10975) .
Estimated Value $20,000 - 25,000.
The Forsythe Collection.
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