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KAHULUI & WAILUKU RAILROAD TOKEN, TWELVE AND A HALF CENTS, 1879
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Description
•T.H.H.• /•12 1/2•within flanking stars and ornaments above and below, reverse, R.R. /1879. within circle of six stars and ornaments. (M-R 2 TE-8). 20.64 mm; 1.7 gms. Exhibits corrosion from probable burial, otherwise a sharp Good Very Fine with evidence of cleaning, scarce.
Catalogue Note
Founded by shipping line owner Captain Thomas H. Hobron in partnership with his two sons-in-law, the Kahului and Wailuku Railroad ran its first train in July 1879, on a narrow gauge line between Wailuku and Kahului; it later expanded to connect the sugar mill in Puunene and more distant destinations (10 miles away). The tokens, bearing Hobron's initials (and redeemable in his general store), were issued in 12 1/2 cents and 25 cents denominations to laborers working on the line and with the paucity of circulating coinage eventually found widespread circulation throughout the Islands.