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1915-S Panama-Pacific Gold $50 Round NGC MS64

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:100.00 USD Estimated At:100.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1915-S Panama-Pacific Gold $50 Round NGC MS64
<b>1915-S Panama-Pacific Gold &#36;50 Round. NGC graded MS64.</b> America&#39;s fairs and expos usually revolve around a theme. For 1915, the fair organizers honored the discovery of the Pacific Ocean &#40;1513&#41; and the aforementioned completion of the Panama Canal &#40;1914&#41; 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 &#36;200. Many sales were made to banks and other novices; for this reason, high grade examples, especially of the two &#36;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. When all was said and done, only 483 Round &#36;50 gold pieces were sold. And it can be assumed &#40;though no separate records were kept in this regard&#41; that numerous specimens in the hands of the public were melted after the federal government seized America&#39;s gold coins in 1933. We estimate there are 200 or so of the round &#36;50 pieces remaining.

These medal-sized coins allowed designer R.W. Aitken a wide latitude on which he successfully employed classical Greek and Roman design motifs, despite some apparent criticism at the time of issue. This is the largest U.S. commemorative gold coin, and it is acknowledged to be among the most attractive executions ever made by the government. The present Mint State 64 example has luminous, lustrous bright-gold surfaces that display the design to good effect from a bold impression by the dies. This piece has been lovingly preserved since its striking. Careful examination with a glass reveals only a few small hairlines in the fields. But just the same, this is a first-rate opportunity to acquire this largest and most impressive United States gold commemorative.

HISTORIC 1915-S PANAMA-PACIFIC ROUND &#36;50 GOLD <b>&#40;PCGS # 7451&#41;</b> <i>
The James Newton Howard Collection.</i>

Our item number 120263