1998 SURFER WAIKIKI DALA - IN SILVER

Surfing - Hawaii's gift to the world – date from ancient times. Twelfth century Hawaiian surfers carved their tradition into lava rock. When Captain Cook discovered Hawaii in 1778, he was greeted by a man on a surfboard. During the 1930's surfing gained popularity and became a lifestyle. Today, surfing is enjoyed around the world with the best still being in Hawaii. It is in this tradition of excellence, that the Mint introduced the 1998 Waikiki Dala with the "Surfer" design. SURFING! Ah, the absolute thrill of catching the wave… speeding across the water on a great Pacific "rollers" as you past Diamond Head! There is no place in the world like Waikiki Beach - one of the world's most beautiful beaches. Be it on a board or in a canoe, anyone who has ridden the Waikiki rollers know the special charm of surfing! So in 1998, with such great memories, the Mint issued a special Waikiki Dala with Surfer to commemorate the great sport of Surfing in pure Silver that was inspired and drawn by Hawaiian surfer and artist, Wayne Takazono, who still finds time to surf! Wayne did an exhaustive search for the right surfer, reviewed hundreds of photos and finally decided on a surfer who had just "dropped in" on one of Waikiki’s finest waves. The Waikiki Dala reverse design is a classic scene of Waikiki. After a day of surfing, the image of a full moon rising over Diamond Head with the moonlight dancing on the waves and the soft breeze in the palm trees is simply unforgettable. Please note how the engraver was able to catch the motion of the moonlight on the water, really an outstanding job for such a difficult subject. The Royal Hawaiian Mint issued a Limited Numbered Edition of 500 one ounce .999 fine silver Proofs before the Brilliant Uncirculated (BU) Waikiki Dalas went into production. Each Proof was packaged in a special Waikiki Dala box. OIP was $39.00. RE: MINTLINE, FEBRUARY 1998