A mis-labeled
ebay auction from a foreign seller netted me this interesting piece for a modest price. Clearly, it is an 1883 Hawaiian half dollar struck on what appears to be a copper slab. Dimensions are 48 x 38 x 2 mm, and weight is 29.54 g. The surface of the slab is slightly irregular, not smooth like a prepared coin planchet. However, within the fields of the strike, there are mirror smooth areas, so it may have been struck with proof dies.
The coin strike is the proper size for a Hawaiian half, which points toward the dies being authentic. (I suspect Hawaiian halves were not widely counterfeited, especially not with high quality methods, so that's not a big concern.)
The obverse and reverse are properly aligned, which points toward the slab being stamped in a coin press, as opposed to both sides impressed separately.
The appearance is of patinated copper, and my calculated density agrees reasonably with that, though we couldn't rule out brass or bronze.
Have any of you seen anything like this? If not, any suggestions for Hawaiian coin experts I should consult?
I am truly enjoying this object for its air of mystery!
Posted 05/23/2014 4:07 pm
