LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 November Houston, TX US Coin Sign. #370  / 

61401

1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Round MS64

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:82,500.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Round MS64
<B>1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Round MS64 NGC.</B></I> The Panama-Pacific International Exposition of 1915 charged 50 cents admission for adults and 25 cents for children. These sums are roughly equivalent to 10 dollars and five dollars, respectively, in today's money, according to an inflation calculator maintained by the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics. Such figures are in line with the price of admittance to modern temporary and seasonal events; the recently concluded State Fair of Texas, for example, cost 14 dollars for adults and 10 dollars for children.<BR> While certain mementoes of the Exposition were inexpensive, such as an official program and map that cost a dime, the ambitious commemorative program spearheaded by Farran Zerbe was out of reach for all but the wealthiest patrons. While the silver half dollar has a significant (if not groundbreaking) net mintage, surviving populations of the gold commemoratives fall as the denomination rises. The massive fifty dollar gold pieces, more status symbols than souvenirs, sold for 100 dollars or twice face value; the modern equivalent would be over 2,000 dollars. It is little wonder that Zerbe marketed the hefty coins to bankers and well-to-do patrons rather than numismatists, particularly in light of the disastrous example set by his handling of the Louisiana Purchase and Lewis and Clark gold dollars.<BR> With so many pieces passing into the hands of non-numismatists, a number of Panama-Pacific fifty dollar coins of both shapes show some degree of impairment. By contrast, this lovely Round example, part of a net mintage of only 483 pieces, offers excellent eye appeal. The butter-yellow surfaces, softly lustrous beneath a touch of haze, host well struck devices. Though a handful of wispy flaws on and around the portrait preclude Gem status, the coin shows none of the distracting abrasions often found on these mammoth commemoratives. A special and enticing representative that could act as a cornerstone for a truly impressive collection.<BR><I>From The Fleur Wales-Baillie Collection, benefiting the Khumbula Thina Trust.</B></I><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Coins & Currency (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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