1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Round MS63 PCGS....

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1915-S Panama-Pacific Fifty Dollar
Well-Preserved MS63
Only 483 Pieces Distributed

1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Round MS63 PCGS. The round Panama-Pacific fifty dollar gold pieces were the last of the five Exposition commemoratives produced. The first of these pieces struck were delivered on July 12, 1915, following the coinage of their octagonal counterparts in June. Thus, the large five- and ten-coin framed and cased sets of these coins referenced in the literature and by surviving specimens were not available to the public until more than halfway through the year. This may have contributed to poor sales totals for the complete sets -- and the fifty dollar gold pieces themselves. However, the high cost of the sets was the chief hindrance to their retail success. Edgar H. Adams, in the August 1915 issue of The Numismatist, lamented:

"Another of the disappointments is the very high premium which has been placed upon the fifty-dollar pieces. Fifty dollars premium on each of those coins is, in our opinion, exorbitant, and surely will have the effect of limiting their sale. Of course there are a number of persons who will pay almost any premium, but the great majority of collectors will be compelled to forego the purchase of the fifty-dollar pieces and will confine themselves to the minor denominations, the prices of which are more within reason. The price of $75 would have been ample for either of the fifty-dollar coins, and undoubtedly a good many more would have been sold at that figure."

Adams' words proved prophetic. Distribution of the Pan-Pac half dollars reached 27,134 pieces, the gold dollar 15,000, and the quarter eagle 6,749. And in contrast, only 645 octagonal fifty dollar pieces were sold, and 483 round fifties. Today, the round Pan-Pac fifty represents the single greatest acquisition classic commemorative collectors will secure.

This Select example displays a bold strike and rich orange-gold luster with all of the eye appeal and satiny surfaces characteristic of this large and impressive issue. A loupe reveals some faint hairline slide marks on each side, but the overall eye appeal exceeds expectations for the grade.(Registry values: N7079)

Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# BYLU, PCGS# 7451, Greysheet# 10215)

Weight: 83.59 grams

Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

View Certification Details from PCGS