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1631 - Hawaii Kalākaua I 1874–1891 Pattern 5-cent nickel coin, 1881…
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Estimate €2,000
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Description
Hawaii Kalākaua I 1874–1891 Pattern 5-cent nickel coin, 1881, struck at the Paris Mint, nickel Obverse: bust of King Kalākaua facing left, with the legend KALAKAUA KING OF SANDWICH ISLANDS 1881. Reverse: the numeral 5 surrounded by a garter bearing the inscription ‘AU MAU KE EA O KA AINA I KA PONO’ Ref: Medcalf-Russell 2CN-1 Grading: PCGS MS 62 Condition: Superb specimen. Extremely rare Mintage: 200 coins In 1881, during his international tour, King Kalākaua came into contact with an industrialist operating a nickel mine in New Caledonia, who suggested the creation of a nickel coin for the kingdom. This project led to the minting, in Paris, of approximately 200 trial specimens, which were presented to the sovereign upon his return to Hawaii. However, an error in the motto on the reverse, where the initial letters were transposed, as well as an incorrect designation of the country on the obverse—using the former European name ‘SANDWICH ISLANDS’ instead of ‘HAWAII’—led to the project being abandoned. Consequently, no official issue took place until 1883. According to Medcalf, a large proportion of these trial coins were subsequently used as pocket money or turned into jewellery, which is why specimens preserved in Proof condition are so rare today.
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About the sale Top-quality coins among the highest-graded – Ancient coins, German, Belgian, Chinese, Spanish, French, British, Italian, Transylvanian, Russian, American and coins from around the world
Auction location
Auction time 10/17/2026 at 9:30 AM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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