LOT #3371 |
Sold on Jan 14, 2026 for: Sign-in
or Join (free & quick)
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Round MS64 NGC....
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
Sold on Jan 14, 2026 for:
$88,450.00
Bid Source: HA.com/Live bidder
Description
1915-S Panama-Pacific Fifty Dollar, MS64
Scarcer Round Variant
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Round MS64 NGC. Clifton
and Dorothy Potter penned an article for the June 1981 issue of
The Numismatist entitled, "Theodore Roosevelt: His Indelible
Mark on American Coinage." The essay spans the period of 1905 to
1921. It covers the reforms in American coinage that occurred
during that era, spurred by the Hero of San Juan Hill's interest in
art and numismatics. The authors characterize those 16 years as
ones in which:"America came of age, and mark the zenith and nadir of the career of Theodore Roosevelt, the man who made it all possible by setting the numismatic revolution in motion. Like a Renaissance prince, he attracted the talented men of his time, and under his benevolent patronage gave them the freedom to create works of art that would enrich the lives of their fellow-citizens."
Although not issued during Roosevelt's time in office, the Panama-Pacific fifty dollar gold coins designed by sculptor Robert Aitken undoubtedly represent a high point during the renaissance period and clearly reflect Roosevelt's influence. The Potters explain that "Aitken realized the best in Greek art as envisioned by Roosevelt." The obverse depicts Minerva, the goddess of wisdom, while the reverse shows her guardian owl. Minerva is present on the California state seal, and the branch of Western pine is similarly symbolic of the Golden State. The Octagonal fifties show eight dolphins around the rim to "honour the joining of the oceans," as the Potters put it. (That symbol is lacking on the Round fifties.)
This Round 1915-S fifty is one of 1,500 pieces struck for sale, of which only 483 were sold. Assuming a survival rate of 80%, it would be safe to say probably fewer than 400 examples are available to a small group of advanced collectors who compete for them vigorously whenever they come up for sale. The surfaces on this Round show subdued mint luster, but there are no obvious or detracting abrasions on either side. Listed among the 100 Greatest U.S. Coins.
Ex: ANA Signature (Heritage, 8/2019), lot 3971.(Registry values: N10218)
Coin Index Numbers: (NGC ID# BYLU, PCGS# 7451, Greysheet# 10215)
Weight: 83.59 grams
Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper
Auction Info
2026 January 14 - 17 FUN US Coins Signature® Auction #1390 (go to Auction Home page)
Auction Dates
January, 2026
14th-17th
Wednesday-Saturday
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 21
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 174
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
22% of the successful bid per lot.
Shipping, Taxes, Terms and Bidding
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms | US & World Coin Grading Tutorial
Important information concerning Sales Tax and Resale Certificates. Learn More
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms | US & World Coin Grading Tutorial