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TheHawaiianaNumismatist

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Journal Entries posted by TheHawaiianaNumismatist

  1. TheHawaiianaNumismatist
    This is not a Hawaiian related entry....
    In all accounts, the true precursor design of the reverse side of the Kennedy half dollar is from the Class 5 Kennedy President of the United States (POTUS) special Government medal (sGm). You have to remember that this Class 5 medal was struck while President Kennedy was still alive.
    The precursor proof is the placement of the designer's initial "FG" (Frank Gasparro) in a familiar position (see video at time 1:38).
    This was one of the most interesting historical facts I uncovered in my research.
     
  2. TheHawaiianaNumismatist
    This is related to Hawaii !!!
    NOTE: You can tell the writing style difference of an author's journal entry  by the subject matter. On one hand you get regurgitation of previously documented information or what one owns. It's OK, but not exciting or groundbreaking. On the other hand you get thought provoking or I did not know this with a dumbfoundedness result. I hope I'm in the later category.
    Bernard von NotHaus was one of the co-founders of The Hawaiian Mint, which evolved into the Royal Hawaiian Mint, and he got into a heap of trouble with the US Government with his National Organization For the Repeal of the Federal Reserve Act (NORFED) coinage and currency.
    As a Hawaiiana numismatist, I must cover all numismatic aspects related to the Hawaiian Islands. The original NORFED Liberty dollars is such a coin. It's listed in World Price Guide at the NGC website:
    https://www.ngccoin.com/price-guide/world/united-states-10-liberty-dollars-x-201-1998-cuid-1075971-duid-1633923
    Waifs in Gold Boots, a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, was created by the Royal Hawaiian Mint to document their issues. This spreadsheet was in the public domain at one point. Anyway, listed in this spreadsheet are three design elements that tell the story of the 1998 NORFED Libery dollar.

    This is a must have reference for Hawaiiana numismatist. Note the mintage (column J) and other key numismatic information!
    The image below is a visual of my original research finding. (I used a silver specimen of the 1975 Kamehameha issue with the "EARTH" design)

    As you can plainly see, the incorporation of design elements to form the original 1998 NORFED Liberty dollar came from previous issues of the The Hawaiian Mint/Royal Hawaiian Mint.
    This research would make a splendid exhibit, along with the controversy of this first 1998 NORFED issue.
    I was in a state of dumbfoundedness when I first discovered this and the first to document this find in my personal blog a few years ago.
    Finally, the mintage of the 1998 Liberty Dollar X# 201 is 150 specimens (which is not documented anywhere , except in  Waifs in Gold Boots).
     
  3. TheHawaiianaNumismatist
    Back in the year 2014, I made an inquiry to NGC Support about the grading/encapsulation of medals listed in their listed numismatic bibliography titled  Hawaiian Money,  2nd Edition, by Medcalf and Russell.  My "coin club" medals were rejected (see images).
     
     
     
    I now see that Hawaii related coin club medals (Maui coin Club and Hawaii State Numismatic Association (HSNA))are now being  graded! (see image below)

    Great!!!
    I made this video about a year ago related to my completed Maui Coin Club silver medal set. Enjoy!
     
  4. TheHawaiianaNumismatist
    This is not a Hawaii related entry.
    The images of two pages below are from the US Mint (as you can see, Frank Gasparro has signed and dated the upper right on the first page).
    Item 1 and 2 in the document - Calls out US Mint's Presidential inaugural medal design (obverse and reverse) are to be used on the proposed half dollar.
              Note: For proper visualization, I added a image of the reverse in this blog. The presidential seal is in a reduced state.
    Item 3 in the document - Frank Gasparro indicates he has previous experience with implementing the reverse design (presidential seal)
    Item 4 in the document (2nd page) - Explains his many experiences and techniques he implemented in the reverse design.
    Conclusion: There was no way that the US Mint's Presidential inaugural medal design was the primary source for the reverse design of the Kennedy half dollar (as many half dollar collectors believe). Frank Gasparro indicated that "This seal was the culmination of many experiences with the study and execution of the American eagle in medallic work", which means he worked on the presidential seal before as a primary design element. It just happens that the Class 5 Kennedy POTUS sGm has a large presidential seal with the placement of his "FG" initials similarly located (under the right leg of the eagle) on both the Class 5 Kennedy POTUS sGm and Kennedy half dollar. 
    And just to bring out another point, the US Mint's President Johnson inaugural medal design features another presidential seal by Frank Gasparro (this time his "FG" initials is above the right leg of the eagle).






  5. TheHawaiianaNumismatist
    If you Google the term "special government medal" or "sGm" or "special medals for US government agencies" your search result relating to the Bureau of the Mint or United States Mint will be empty. However, if you search the term "POTUS sGm" you will get a hit to my website (discusses a particular type of "special government medal" of which I have ongoing research).

    This empty search result  points out that these common terms  are  unused and uncommon term within the US numismatic community. However, if you review each of the  Annual Reports of the Director of the Mint (if you have the time) you will see this term is used often to describe a function of the Bureau of the Mint/United States Mint. What is a "special government medal (sGm)"?

    The term "special medals for US government agencies" relates to the third official manufacturing function of the Bureau of the Mint/United States Mint.  The three blog images provides an introduction to this third official manufacturing function of the Bureau of the Mint/United States Mint.

    The final image with the examples of "special government medals" drives the point of this blog entry. There is no numismatic work that identifies nor catalogs all  results from the third official manufacturing function of the Bureau of the Mint (or United States Mint). The final images also provides evidence of the connection between the Bureau of the Mint and multiple United States Government agencies with Frank Gasparro as the common thread as the designer of these three represented "special Government medals".
     



  6. TheHawaiianaNumismatist
    When I saw the Hawaii Uniface SCD HK-537 being offered for sale I jumped at the chance to own it. I've look hard and far to have one in my collection.
    This well known dealer convinced my to purchase the Alaska Uniface SCD HK-536 in order to keep them as a pair. It was good that I listened to him.
    These two medals are currently the only pair graded by NGC (or any other TPG company).

  7. TheHawaiianaNumismatist
    The year was 1995. The location was Southern Maryland. The find was ...
    In May of 1995, I stumbled upon a news article about a woman who unloaded a few coins at a coin shop in Annapolis, Maryland for a whopping $200 a piece. With this news, I rushed to the local bank to purchase a new box of coins.
    I opened my first roll and started to delicately view each. As I detected something odd with the coin I would place it aside. I looked at each coin with a 10X loupe. It was tedious and my eyes took a beating.
    To my surprise I found a grouping of these coins. Not having a picture of what I was looking for, I assumed these were the $200 a piece prize.
    I latter found a picture online and they were an exact match in what I had in my possession. In total, the value of my find was $10,000.
    What I found were fifty (50) mint state 1995 Doubled Die Obverse Lincoln pennies.
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  8. TheHawaiianaNumismatist
    The final medal for my Hawaii Statehood Medal Type collection arrived from NGC today ...
    Size does matter (for my large Hawaii Statehood medal).
    Picture is a comparison between the normal and oversize NGC coin holders. Now I need to figure out a method to display and house these different sized holders.
    I really like the semi-circle notch (directly above the medal). One can view the serial number on the medal's edge).
    http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/wcm/CoinCustomSetView.aspx?s=9345 set one completed. Off to the next collection set challenge....

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  9. TheHawaiianaNumismatist
    1 of 6 possible "First Day Ceremony" sets to be permanent part of National Park museum ...
    If you read my previous journal entry titled "I Was There!"...
    The coin set mentioned has been NGC submitted for a "First Day Ceremony" designation. After correspondences and telephone calls to NGC, it was agreed that these coins will be designated as "First Day Ceremony"(they could have easily obtained a "First Release" or "Early Release" designation). I believe this is the first and only Star-Spangled commemorative 4-coin set to seek the "First Day Ceremony" pedigree.
    The "First Day Ceremony" pedigree is established with authenticated paperwork from the US Mint and The Maryland War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission obtained during the Release Day celebration. US Mint reported that their gold inventory at the ceremony was a scant 16 gold coins (all sold within the first hour).
    My intent for obtaining the "First Day Ceremony" designation is to provide a historical gift donation to the Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine. I was among the first in the nation to purchase these coins from the US Mint sales at their launch ceremony held at the Fort (this launch ceremony sale occurred before the 12 noon online sale on March 5th, 2012).
    These Maryland-themed coins highlight the Star-Spangled Banner, Fort McHenry and the War of 1812. I was honored to be present at the Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coin Release Day Ceremony.
    The curator at the Fort's museum is delighted in the pending donation and await the NGC designated/graded coins.
    I'm even more delighted that "my coin set" will have a permanent home in the Fort's museum collection and enjoyed by all who visit Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine.

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  10. TheHawaiianaNumismatist
    Read, study, and learn your collecting interest...
    No matter where or from whom you purchase your numismatic material always be an astute hobbyist by being knowledgeable expert in your interest area or seek proper expert advice.
    I seen too many individuals make purchases that they have regretted from seconds (at auctions) to decades (at appraisals) later.
    The challenge for each collector, no matter what is collected, is to be more knowledgeable than the seller/dealer.
    At some point as a collector, it will be second nature to "cherry pick" the true rarities from the "so called common junk" being pushed by the profit seeking seller/dealer.
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  11. TheHawaiianaNumismatist
    A story of finding a coin's pedigree by accident...
    After purchasing a highly prized "Mid-Pacific Aloha Carnival Dollar" that depicts the great Hawaiian Olympian "Duke Kahanamoku" (So called dollar HK-721/Medcalf & Russell 2M-329) for my "Territory of Hawaii Souvenir" collection, I did an online search for similar coin in circulated condition.
    The coin is not dated, but the Mid-Pacific Carnival was held in 1914 in Honolulu, Territory of Hawaii. A rare "Dukie" in uncirculated condition in this link http://so-calleddollars.com/Events/Hawaii.html
    After viewing an icollector hit, I started to compare coins. I noticed an erie resemblance as I looked at each unique feature between the two.
    Obverse: A darken A in Pacific. Bumps along rim from D to P of Mid-Pacific.
    Reverse: Nick below II of Hawaiian. Nick in the center of the I in Islands.
    Patina matches in both observe and reverse. My photo is slightly darker as it was taken with my Android phone in my home office.
    To my surprise every visual feature was an exact match!
    In conclusion, my "Dukie" is lot #41 from Heritage 2007 Long Beach California auction.
    Left image taken by me. Right image taken online.
    Only 5 "Dukies" have been graded by NGC http://www.ngccoin.com/NGCCoinExplorer/CoinDetail.aspx?CoinID=851117
    Mine will be the 6th...

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  13. TheHawaiianaNumismatist
    She is an incredibly beautiful and captivating Hawaiian ...
    She...as in my coin...
    Sharply struck with hints of light aqua and a sprinkling of gentle rose hues makes this a pulchritudinous example of the 1883 Kingdom of Hawaii quarter dollar.

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  14. TheHawaiianaNumismatist
    Kona 'Kono' Kalakaua (Grace Park) is beautiful .. so is this Kalakaua
    Just having fun...
    My King Kalakaua fifty cent piece (or hapalua) with PhotoProof picture.

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  15. TheHawaiianaNumismatist
    I've been collecting and selling coins from my collection as a means to an end ....
    Rare coin collecting has been a very enjoyable and profitable hobby for me. I have been collecting and reselling rare coins as a means of supplementary support while pursuing each of my academic degrees. I have four conferred academic degrees, so this means to an end has really helped me out. My degrees include (from lowest to highest): AAS in Electronic Technology, BS in Computer Science, MS in Systems Engineering and a PhD in Systems Engineering.
    At times it was very hard to let go what I collected and cherished. Each time I sold a piece from my collection, I would comfort myself with the idea that I will purchase a similar coin in the future to rebuild my original collection.
    Lately I have been inquiring about replacing a few of my territorial gold pieces and have been shocked in the increase in value. Yes, the price of gold has increased. But, the rarity of the coins has also boosted their prices.
    The below scan is of my 1851 "slug" that was once in my collection and was sold to support me in pursuing my MS degree at Johns Hopkins University. This slug has increased over 346% value since I owned it. Its catalog price is hovering at $45,000 level as of today. In 2001, I originally paid $13,000 for this beauty.
    I read Dr Kagin's book, Private Gold Coins and Patterns of the US (1981) before buying this gold beauty. He placed an R6 rarity (13 - 30 known pieces) and it matches current population reports. An XF40 sold in 2011 for $54,625...yikes!

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  16. TheHawaiianaNumismatist
    As most of you know by now, I have a passion for collecting. The beauty, the rarity and the history behind each item collected is my motivation.
    When individuals visit my home office, one of the first things they see is my medal collection. These medals come in all shapes and sizes, but each has a common theme.
    My personal goal is to collect eight or less each year. The most I ever collected was ten in one year. Don't get me wrong, I can collect more but it's nice to get them at a "good steady pace". This medal collection shows one facet of my life that provides me balance and focus.
    I started my collection in 2005. Each medal in my collection is priceless. I will never sell or trade any piece in my collection. You can say they are a part of who I am.
    These medals are not high dollar items, but there is monetary fee to get them. You really have to be physically and mentally prepared to seek them out. You just can't pick them up on a whim or slap a handful of dollars on the counter to purchase one.
    When one is handed to you, it really is the greatest feeling in the world!
     
    (...this is my comedic attempt to employ my writing skills, joy of numismatics, and running)

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  17. TheHawaiianaNumismatist
    My mindset is in the land of Aloha...sort of
    My birthplace is Honolulu, Hawaii. I grew-up on the islands of Oahu and Hawaii (aka Big Island). My career keeps me on the continental US, but I often have vacation trips back "home". In all my trips, I allocate a period of time in which I pursue my Hawaiiana collectable hunts. From coins to documents.
    I have been advocating the concept to read as much as you can about a coin or coin type, as a mater of fact, anything that is of collectable interest to you. But,on occasions you have to go with your gut feeling...
    The attached article is about a gut feeling purchase I had. In the end, I donated this item to the Iolani Palace as they did not have an example...It feels good to donate a historical piece in which it can be admired by many. I donated the item in 2010.
    My article was printed in a newsletter published by the Hawaii State Society of Washington DC.

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  18. TheHawaiianaNumismatist
    I was fortunate to have help in entering the coin collecting hobby...
    I did collect coins as a child, but it was more of a curiosity than a hobby. While serving in the US Air Force, I was given an opportunity to learn from a few coin dealers in Montana. Montana is a silver state and silver dollars were very plentiful.
    A Montana coin dealer told me to read up on the subject before buying any coins. After reading the Comprehensive Catalogue and Encyclopedia of U. S. Morgan and Peace Silver Dollars (1977)(several times I have to say), I went back to this dealer and he showed me his silver dollar inventory. He offered to sell me silver dollars at his cost (remember the Gray Sheets?). I cherry picked his inventory and ended up with ten silver dollars. I was keying on luster and strike. Each coin I picked had original mint luster and was well struck. The dealer make a comment that I had a "good eye" in picking out the nice ones for "a beginner".
    I studied my new silver dollars. Compared them with the "VAM listings". I somehow picked up two 1900 O/CC errors from this dealer. Excited in making a quick profit to purchase more silver dollars, I sold one of my O/CC to another dealer in the same city. I went back to the first dealer and purchased additional silver dollars.
    By this time I was hooked. Curious in my aptitude and skill in grading silver dollars, I visited additional dealers. They critiqued the grade I assigned. Each dealer was subjective. I started to build-up my confidence in grading silver dollars.
    Eventually, my silver dollar interest started to focus on proof-like dollars. This is were it gets interesting. I made a trip to Deer Lodge, Montana to see Dean Tavenner's coin shop (this dates me). You have to remember that back then there was no encapsulation of coins. He was eager to share his knowledge with me. I handled and viewed my first proof Morgan silver dollar. He gave me a lesson on proof-like silver dollars. A lesson on toning, grading, etc... I finally purchased several proof-like silver dollars from him after spending several hours in his shop.
    Eventually, my time in Montana came to an end. I had a new duty station to move to. I really was fortunate in having several coin dealers who took the time to share the coin collecting hobby with me.
    The picture below is old, but ANACS became the first to grade coins and provide a photo certificate. I had a few silver dollars graded and the results reinforced my silver dollar grading skill set. The certificate's date indicates the time period in which I was stationed in Montana.
    In closing, I recommend reading as much as you can on the subject or coin type and gain experience in grading raw coins. It will provide additional fun and be highly profitable. Happy cherry picking! Also, remember that a true hobbyist will share their knowledge with you.

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  19. TheHawaiianaNumismatist
    Did you know that several medals were struck in 1959/1960 to commemorate Hawaii's admission as the 50th state to the Union?
    As part of Hawaii's admission as the 50th state to the United States of America, several medals were stuck in celebration during the years 1959 (statehood) and 1960 (50th star added to US flag). Many of these medals have low mintage numbers. There are 5 medal design types that expands to 22 variants.
    Each of these Hawaii statehood medals are also collected in other numismatic specialties such as: so called dollars, so called half-dollars, Alaska Statehood, and statehood medals.
    These other specialties areas increases the demand and drives the prices higher due to their minuscule mintage numbers.
    http://coins.www.collectors-society.com/wcm/CoinCustomSetView.aspx?s=9345
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  20. TheHawaiianaNumismatist
    I see a need for a Ceremony Release designation for coins/medals obtained at an US Mint coin/medal release day ceremony. Why? Because I was there! I was not there 30-days after the fact (designation criteria for Early or First Release labels).
    I was in attendance to support the celebration of the Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coin Release Day ceremony at Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine in Baltimore Maryland at 11:00 am on the morning of March 5, 2012.
    The ceremony was both a revisit of my past US history lessons and renewed celebration of our national anthem, the Star-Spangled Banner, as penned by Francis Scott Key as he watched the bombardment of Fort McHenry by the British Royal Navy ships.
    The ceremony also celebrated the release of the Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coins. After the ceremony ended, the US Mint workers began selling these commemorative coins to ceremony attendees. Roughly, 25 minutes before the US Mint internet sales began at noon.
    I purchased each commemorative coin in person: An uncirculated silver $1, a proof silver $1, an uncirculated gold $5 and a proof gold $5. I also stood in line to get each US Mint COA signed and dated by Daniel Shaver, Chief Counsel of the United States Mint, who officially represented the US Mint at the ceremony. The four signed/dated US Mint COAs authenticates my purchase on March 5, 2012. Mr. Shaver also signed and dated four celebration certificates attesting that I was at the ceremony when I made the coin purchase.(See image below - signatures redacted to prevent forgeries)
    The next day, I read an article in the Baltimore Sun indicating that the US Mint sold all of its ceremony gold coin inventory within a hour after the ceremony ended. The ceremony gold coin inventory was a mere 16 pieces. As for the ceremony silver coin inventory, the US Mint sold roughly half of its 400 ceremony inventory.
    Today, I look at my newly acquired Star-Spangled Banner commemorative coin set with pride. I have 2 of the 16 gold coins from the release day ceremony. I also have 2 of the 400 silver coins from the release day ceremony. I have the proper documents authenticating these commemorative coins as ceremony release. More importantly, I was there! I really did attend and experience the Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coin Release Day ceremony.
    So for those seeking Early or First Release designation for the Star-Spangled Banner Commemorative Coins you have 27 days left as of this writing. Also, please visit Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine within your 27-day deadline period.
    It should be noted that its estimated that only six 4-coin ceremony release sets could have been assembled. So now the search begins for the owners of the remaining five ceremony release sets.
    In closing, I have posed the question to NGC in allowing my set to be designated as Ceremony Release. No word from them yet.

  22. TheHawaiianaNumismatist
    I just submitted a US copyright on an article discussing a research find I made. For those who are familiar with my discovery models, this find adds a new piece  of knowledge to the King Kalakaua 1 Coronation Medal  knowledge domain.

    Background:
    The 1882 dated King Kalakaua 1 coronation medal  has befuddled Hawaiian numismatics for decades due to its unknown mintage, designer and manufacturer. This medal is identified as:

    2RM-9 (Hawaiian Money Standard Catalog 1991 Second Edition by Donald Medcalf & Ronald Russell)
    RM-7 (Hawaiian Moeny Standard catalog  1978 First Edition by Donald Medcalf & Ronald Russell)
    108 (Hawaiian Coins, Tokens and Paper Money1961 Revised Second Edition by Maurice and Kenneth Bressett)
    9A (Hawaiian Money and Medals 1967  by Gordon Medcalf and Robert Fong)

    Research Find:
    My research has identified the designer and manufacturer, but not the mintage of the 1882 dated King Kalakaua 1 coronation medal. Hawaii specialist know that this medal is rare, especially in uncirculated grades.

    Attached are the first two pages of the copyrighted article. The key items of the research Intellectual Property (IP) has been redacted, but one partial image reveals an exact description of the 1882 dated King Kalakaua 1 coronation medal. This is the key piece of knowledge  that is part of this  "research discovery".
    One last thing, a new metal composition of 2RM-9 has been discovered !!!!.
     



  23. TheHawaiianaNumismatist
    Within the book Hawaiian Money, 2nd Edition, by Medcalf & Russell (book listed in NGC US Coin Reference, American Overseas Territories), a series of private mint issues from The Hawaiian Mint (THM), aka Royal Hawaiian Mint (RHM), are cataloged.
    Several of the original issues are not listed as per the official RHM database (it's a spreadsheet provided by the RHM documenting its issues, mintages, and specialized notes). This spreadsheet is titled Waifs in Gold Boots which was produced by the RHM and was made available to the public at their website. Unfortunately, the RHM removed it years ago. Several advance Hawaii collectors have been sharing the original Waifs in Gold Boots spreadsheet.  Knowledge is power in collectables.   I have been refreshing/updating a personal copy and calling it Waifs in Gold Boots Rev A. (don't ask, I will not share it).
    However, I made an educational video to share how to identify the Type 1 - small blemish (as defined in Hawaiian Money, 2nd Edition) issues.    Waifs in Gold Boots calls the blemish a "welt". The following video shows the "welt". The medal shown is unlisted in Hawaiian Money, 2nd Edition. The medal obverse is 2MB-1 and reverse is 2MB-5 (using the Hawaiian Money, 2nd Edition identifiers). The medal is listed in Waifs in Gold Boots. As an interesting note, the "Earth Symbols" reverse design (2MB-5) is partially used on the infamous 1998 NORFED Dollar (image shown in this journal entry).
     

  24. TheHawaiianaNumismatist
    This blog entry is not Hawaiian related....
    While performing research on my book on the   http://www.potus-sgm.com/   I tracked down the dual torch design of Frank Gasparro (I previously shared this research find at another numismatic website and wanted to share it here).  In the image:
    Left is the obverse of a Class 2 Eisenhower President of the United States  (POTUS) special Government medal (sGm) with the dual torch by Frank Gasparro and manufactured by the Bureau of the Mint in 1960.
    Middle is the reverse of the President Kennedy inauguration medal with the dual torch by Frank Gasparro and manufactured by the Bureau of the Mint in 1961.
    Right is the reverse of the General MacArthur congressional gold medal with dual torch by Frank Gasparro and manufactured by the Bureau of the Mint in 1962.
    Imagine that! Mr. Gasparro used the dual torch design in consecutive years (1960, 1961, and 1962) on three medal types (special Government medal, inauguration medal, and a congressional medal).
    If you interested in what is a POTUS sGm, visit the website link above.
     

  25. TheHawaiianaNumismatist
    Perhaps a  new numismatic collecting category is required? Blunder collecting...
    As it can be explained, a few intact specimens slipped by the manufacturer who eagerly holed-out the "49" as to remove the obvious timing blunder as Alaska became the  49th state. This is not an error. It's an unfortunate timing of the Alaska statehood event when this SCD was struck.
    Actually, SCD HK-722A can be claimed as a specimen from the Territory of Hawaii period (and while the US had only 48 states).
    Why does the NGC census reflect a population of 4 for So Called Dollar (SCD) HK-722A?
    NGC does not grade holed specimens, but rather pushes them into the NGC DETAILS realm. Hence the low population of intact HK-722A in the NGC census.
    I enjoy seeing newbie collector faces when I tell them this specimen is from the alternate reality of the United States of which Hawaii was the 49th state and Alaska was never a state...