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1915-S Panama-Pacific Gold $50 Octagonal PCGS MS64

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:19,250.00 USD Estimated At:77,000.00 - 82,500.00 USD
1915-S Panama-Pacific Gold $50 Octagonal PCGS MS64
In 1915 visitors from all over the world converged on a veritable new city that had been built of lath and plaster on the San Francisco shore front. Building upon the tradition established by the 1876 Centennial Exhibition (Philadelphia), 1892-1893 World's Columbian Exposition (Chicago), the 1900 Paris Exposition, the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, and other such events, the Panama-Pacific International Exposition showcased marvels of technology, art, history, and science.

After the event ended, nearly everything was torn down. An exception was the Palace of Fine Arts, which, while never intended to be a permanent structure, survived to be used to store fire engines and other municipal equipment. In recent times it has been restored. This building in 1915 was the numismatic focal point of the Exposition. Under its huge dome was Farran Zerbe's Money of the World exhibit and, after the fair's closing, his concession to sell the remaining Panama-Pacific coins by mail order.

America's fairs and expos usually revolve around a theme. For 1915, the fair organizers honored the discovery of the Pacific Ocean (1513) and the aforementioned completion of the Panama Canal (1914) as the dual anchor points for their theme. A series of 5 coins was struck for the occasion, including complete sets mounted in metal frames or leather cases sold for $200. Many sales were made to banks and other novices; for this reason, high grade examples, especially of the two $50 gold denominations, are a challenge to find. The larger the denomination, the harder to locate. Some were also carried as souvenir pieces, in fact. This is one of the few remaining choice octagonal $50 gold coins from that commemorative event. A coin with satiny luster and strikingly attractive features. A coin whose mere ownership puts you into an elite group of collectors.