Royal Hawaiian Agricultural Society Medal

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RHAS Medal.

1 Introduction
2 The medal
3 Notes
4 References
5 Gallery

[edit] Introduction

The Royal Hawaiian Agricultural Society was active between the years of 1850 and 1857. Each year, a juried exhibition of the agricultural products culminated in an awards ceremony. At the ceremony, the Society's silver medal was presented to the best in each category.

These medals were ordered by the Society through the agency of Mr. Marshall of Massachusetts. At the Society's request, he contacted the U.S. Mint Director, James Ross Snowden who then forwarded the request to the U.S. Treasury Department. That request was approved with the stipulation that the medals were made after regular Mint hours. The number of specimens minted is unknown.

[edit] The medal

Undated circa 1850 to 1857, and dated 1882 above inscription.
Silver and white metal, 64.5 mm, approximately 82 grams.
The dies were engraved by Francis N. Mitchell.

The obverse comprises symbols of agricultural enterprise in the Hawaiian Islands - namely sugar and coffee - and and implements and vehicles of trade - the plow and tall ships; the eastern sun is rising in the background, with a palm to the left and royal crown above all. The inscription around the edge reads, ROYAL HAWAIIAN AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY, ESTABLISHED A.D. 1850. The reverse has a wreath surrounded by the motto PREMIUM FOR THE BEST EXHIBITED; in the center field is a central table with space for the inscription of the awardee's name and prize category.

Three examples, with variations on the reverse, have recently been presented for auction in New York:

Blank - unissued, from the collection of Samuel Mills Damon.^[1]
Imported - The depiction of a fenced-in area containing a wood shed, and in the foreground - a boar feeding at a trough. In the background are three palm trees, and a farmer (presumably) wearing a wide brimmed hat looking over the fence. In the far background is the profile of Diamond Head. Also from the collection of Samuel Mills Damon.^[2]
Syrup to Brewer Plantation - lacquered medal to one of the "Big Five" plantations.^[3]

[edit] Notes

^ Doyle New York The Estate of Samuel Mills Damon, Sale 06SMD0123 (March 23, 2006, lot 2681, The Estate of Samuel Mills Damon).
^ Doyle New York The Estate of Samuel Mills Damon, Sale 06SMD0123 (March 23, 2006, lot 2680, The Estate of Samuel Mills Damon).
^ Stack's May 2005 New York Auction, (Session 1 on May 10, 2005, lot 27, John J. Ford, Jr. Collection: Part 9); Ex J.W. Scott's "Hawaiian sale", (December 19, 1981, lot 25, Garrett Collection); Ex Bowers & Ruddy, (March 25, 1981, lot 2098).

[edit] References

Medcalf, Donald & Ronald Russell (1978). Hawaiian Money: Standard Catalog: Includes Tokens, Medals & Royal Orders. Honolulu: Nani Stamp & Coin LTD. ISBN 0-931388-00-7.

Werlich, Robert (1965). Orders & Decorations of All Nations: Ancient & Modern, Civil & Military. Quaker Press. ISBN 1-151-37961-1.