David H. writes: Hi, Do you know anything about medallions? A friend has a medallion from Hawaii issued around 1959 for the states joining the Union. This medallion has a spelling error instead of oahu it reads aohu. Is it worth collecting ? Can you direct me to someone who may know something about it? Thanks.
There were a variety of privately struck medals to commemorate Hawaii’s admission the Union as a State on August 21, 1959. The only one that I know of that actually lists the names of the Hawaiian Islands is the Alaska-Hawaii Statehood medals privately issued by Clifford Mishler of Vandalia, Michigan and struck by Robbins Co, in Attleboro, Massachusetts. (Both Alaska and Hawaii became states in 1959).
It is unusual for there to be more than one working die to make these medals. The reason being, besides the expense, is the relatively small number of coins struck. Any errors on the working dies most likely would appear on the entire run of medals.
The Mishler medals were made in various metals including 10K rose gold, sterling silver, bronze, oxidized bronze, copper, oxidized copper, nickel-silver oxidized and aluminum. Collectors like this particular medal. Value range, depending on grade and metal: $25 – $250.
