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Description

1915-S Panama-Pacific Fifty Dollar, MS63
Famous Octagonal Design
Only 645 Coins Sold

1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Octagonal MS63 PCGS. Ex: Simpson. Weighing two and a half ounces of .900 gold and measuring 46 millimeters in diameter, the 1915-S Panama-Pacific fifty dollar gold piece is certainly one of, if not the most impressive and imposing coins ever issued in this country, for circulation or for commemorative purposes.

The coins, in octagonal and round formats, were designed by California artist and sculptor Robert Aitken for the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition, held over a two-mile stretch along the San Francisco waterfront. The event itself celebrated San Francisco's remarkable rise from the ashes of a 1906 earthquake and fire, as well as the completion of the monumental Panama Canal, one of the seven wonders of the modern world. There was nothing "small" about the fair, and that grandeur is wonderfully reflected in the nature of this eight-sided glittering gold piece.

Although 1,500 coins of each type were authorized for production, sales lagged largely because of their steep $100 price tag. Five and 10-coin sets were also available for $200 and $400, respectively. Many of the sets went to banks and other institutions, and certain well-heeled visitors would have been able to take home single examples, but these coins were entirely out of reach for the average fairgoer. So they remain today, with examples available only to the most advanced and dedicated collectors of American coinage, adding to their legendary status.

This satiny, Select Uncirculated Octagonal Pan-Pac fifty features the rich yellow-gold color and finely textured fields that characterize the issue. Tiny abrasions are well-hidden within Aitken's masterful, symbol-laden design.(Registry values: P7)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# BYLX, PCGS# 7452, Greysheet# 10216)

Weight: 83.59 grams

Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper


View Certification Details from PCGS

Auction Info

Auction Dates
September, 2020
17th Thursday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 20
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 1,102

Buyer's Premium per Lot:
20% of the successful bid per lot.

Sold on Sep 17, 2020 for: $78,000.00
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