1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Octagonal MS64 PCGS....

Click the image to load the highest resolution version.

Sold on Apr 23, 2021 for:

$87,000.00 Bid Source: Internet bidder

Get one of these:

Share this lot

Track Item Printable Auction Results

Sell One of These

Description

Auction Info

Guides & Info

Description

1915-S Panama-Pacific Fifty Dollar, MS64
Evocative Octagonal Specimen
Only 645 Examples Distributed

1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Octagonal MS64 PCGS. Ex: Simpson. The impressive 1915-S Panama-Pacific fifty dollar octagonal commemorative evokes memories of the iconic fifty dollar slugs issued by Augustus Humbert and the United States Assay Office of Gold during the colorful Gold Rush era. Part of an ambitious five-coin commemorative program conceived by numismatic entrepreneur Farran Zerbe, the coins were distributed in conjunction with the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition. The set consisted of a silver half dollar, a gold dollar, a quarter eagle, and two fifty dollar gold pieces, one round and the other octagonal. The coins were sold in several combinations over an extended period, as cased sets, double sets that showed both obverse and reverse of each coin, and as individual coins. The Act of January 16, 1915 authorized the striking of 1,500 examples of the octagonal fifty dollar issue, but the $100 asking price was too expensive for most collectors and only 645 specimens were actually distributed. The remaining coins were later melted.

Both round and octagonal fifty dollar pieces employed a design by sculptor Robert Aitken. The obverse features a helmeted head of Minerva, Goddess of Wisdom, who also appears on the arms of the State of California. The motto IN GOD WE TRUST appears in the field, with the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around and FIFTY DOLLARS below. The date, expressed in Roman numerals, is on a banner below the bust. The reverse displays an owl, sacred to Minerva, perched on a branch of western pine, with the motto E PLURIBUS UNUM in the field. The legend PANAMA-PACIFIC EXPOSITION is around, with SAN FRANCISCO below. Dolphins appear in the angled corners of the octagonal coins.

This attractive Choice example exhibits well-detailed design elements, with just a trace of softness on the owl's feathers. The well-preserved orange-gold surfaces radiate vibrant mint luster and overall eye appeal is outstanding. PCGS has graded 32 numerically finer examples (2/21).(Registry values: P7)

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

Weight: 83.59 grams

Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

View all of [Important Selections from The Bob R. Simpson Collection, Part V ]

View Certification Details from PCGS