Rare,Historical,High Grade U.S. Coin ... always trades in a thin market!

Nic

Neat coin and issue if you ask me. None are killer attractive nor graded higher than this coin (PR. 64) at PCGS. Most have been dipped/cleaned. This is the only coin still accompanied by the original letter with only two letters known. What do you folks think? This is a coin I'm thinking of selling to buy something else. All opinions welcome.Transcript of letter...

Mr. Edward L. Caum
Dear Sir,
The Cook Sesquicentennial Commission recognizing the valuable service you rendered in making the Sesquicentennial observance a success, hereby in the name of the Territtory of Hawaii presents you with this token, a sandblast proof Hawaiian Half-Dollar, #48, of a total issue of fifty, prepared as a memento of one of the historical occasions of the Hawaiian Islands.






K

abuell

If you choosse to sell it the auction route would be the best venue. Choose an auction house that would properly highlight the coin's attributes. If it were me, I would choose ANR or Stack's.

coinguy1

Nic, do you KNOW that this particular letter goes with this particular coin? Or, might they have been "mixed and matched"? That would make a difference to me, at least.

Is the item you are considering buying as neat or neater than this one?

Which would you get more enjoyment from?

Answer these questions and you will hopefully have a definitive answer regarding what direction to take, if not the meaning of life, itself

MrEureka

Cool coin, but not "historical". Don't get me wrong. I'm not bashing. I like proof commems, and I even have a PR 63 in stock. But it's just a commem. It's about history, not part of history. Just one of my pet peeves...

Anyway, all that said, how much is it?

Nic

Andy, Would this coin be a part of history or about history? Trying to understand. We all have pet peeves..K

tradedollarnut

What a strike....no, let me rephrase that....WHAT A STRIKE!

MrEureka

Would this coin be a part of history or about history?

You're getting warmer....

Bear

Now thems ,some high power coins.

Nic

Yes, nice strike. It's a proof! . K

keets

hey Nic

if you guess something like a 1943 Lincoln Cent you'd be on fire!!

nice coin, but i would wonder why there are only two of the original 50 letters still believed to exist. just from a human nature aspect, someone who dedicates themselves to an event such as this to the degree that would earn recognition in the form of the coin and the letter strikes me as the type of personality that would keep the letter as a momento. further, do the researchers who make the statement with only two letters known even know where the other 49 coins are??

al h.

291fifth

If the coin is raw I suspect Stack's would be the way to go.

Nic

Hey Keets...long time no chat! I guess it is like original coin/commem holders in general. Few original 5 coin commem issues remain; less every year like original double mint sets. The holders, letters, documentation seem to disappear with time and relatives! This coin and letter trace to the original roster of 50 recipients as published in The Numismatist in 1928. Well researched since made. Only two letters still found.The other coin (unknown location?) was separated from letter....documented. I think its cool. I think original mint sets, commem holders, and counter-stamps are cool as well . K

jeffnpcb

Nic, as Ralph Kramdon would say about those two! HAMMINA HAMMINA HAMMINA!!!!
They are drop dead beautiful!

shirohniichan

<< <i>Hey Keets...long time no chat! I guess it is like original coin/commem holders in general. Few original 5 coin commem issues remain; less every year like original double mint sets. The holders, letters, documentation seem to disappear with time and relatives! This coin and letter trace to the original roster of 50 recipients as published in The Numismatist in 1928. Well researched since made. Only two letters still found.The other coin (unknown location?) was separated from letter....documented. I think its cool. I think original mint sets, commem holders, and counter-stamps are cool as well . K >>



Yea, verily.

It's a shame that so many auction houses and coin sellers used to throw away documentation, holders, and all the paraphernalia that came with such coins. I especially like the Pan Pac holders, but there are some great extras that deserve an extra look before a bid. The extras mean something to me, at least.

njcoincrank

Nic....I was wondering, is this the coin that was in a major auction within the last three years? I believe it was accompanied by the original box, numerous papers, and something else.

I also collect original holders for commems. Have several for the Pan Pac, including the original frame, 5 pc box (with outter box), 4 pc box (with outter box), three pc box, and all the envelopes.

I just puchased a brochure for the 1903 La Purchase gold dollar in the last Stack's auction. Really neat.

Sorry...sometimes I ramble....

njcoincrank

Nic

njcoincrank.... no, not the same coin etc. No documented original holders exist though several are claimed. I know the piece and memorabilia you are thinking of. K

Pistareen

Speaking of original holders, has anyone else here heard the story (a true story, even!) about the double Pan-Pac box that was found in H.O. Granberg's house in Wisconsin, hidden in the basement (or attic?) rafters? The home was bought by a numismatist in modern times who knew PRECISELY what he had found and who it had belonged to.

Granberg was a famous collector of the era -- he incidentally sold many of his coins in a 1915 auction, and several of his star pieces were displayed at the ANS Exhibition of 1914.

Provenance: does it make a coin more historical? Huh, Andy??

EVillageProwler

Nic,

Is your 1794 $ ex Bass?

EVP

elwood

yes

tradedollarnut

NGC MS61... one of the best struck examples in existance!

Nic

Hey, this is a PR. Haw. commem/ original documents etc. post. See what I mean about a thin market? . K

Nic

ttt.... anyone else have an opinion? I apologize for trying to limit the thread . K

MrEureka

is this the coin that was in a major auction within the last three years? I believe it was accompanied by the original box, numerous papers, and something else.

Crank - B&M offered one in Baltimore in (I believe) December, 2003. The lot contained original sketches by the designer and a Wedgewood plaque depicting Captain Cook. I don't recall if the lot included the letter, but I doubt it.

MrEureka

Provenance: does it make a coin more historical? Huh, Andy??

John - Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Depends on the provenance and the coin.