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1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Round MS64 NGC. Th 1915-S[$50] Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Round MS

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:2,600.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Round MS64 NGC. Th 1915-S[$50] Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Round MS
<B>1915-S<$50> Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Round MS64 NGC.</B></I> The Panama-Pacific fifty dollar gold pieces were the work of Robert Aitken, whose initials RA are evident on the reverse below the pine branch upon which the owl is perched. The design was prepared in both octagonal and round formats and the first coins were struck on June 29, 1915. The original mintage of the round variety was 1,500 pieces for distribution and 9 coins for assay purposes. However, Mint estimates and ambitions were far ahead of the public's desire to purchase a $100 coin (the issuance price), and only 483 examples of the round fifties were sold with the remaining coins melted.<BR> Pan-Pac fifties are a highly symbolic coin. Struck on the eve of America's involvement in the Great War, in the center of the obverse the Greek helmet is pushed back on Minerva's head in a ready but not fully combative posture. The owl on the reverse signifies wisdom and watchfulness. The medium gold surfaces show a satiny texture that is most attractive. The only flaw that we see on this piece is a short, very shallow flaking of the planchet on Minerva's cheek.<BR><I>From The Watson Collection.</B></I>