1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Round MS65 PCGS....

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1915-S Panama-Pacific Fifty Dollar, MS65
Scarcer Round Variant
Highly Attractive for the Grade

1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Round MS65 PCGS. The surviving population of the fifty dollar gold coins from the Panama-Pacific International Exposition reflects the failure of Farran Zerbe's marketing efforts during the fair and after -- only a fraction of the 3,000 authorized pieces ever ended up with end buyers, the rest returned for melting. Of the 1,500 round pieces struck, only 483 were ultimately sold; the remaining 1,017 were melted. The octagonal pieces fared slightly better: of their 1,500-piece mintage, only 645 were sold.

Zerbe's failure to sell more pieces derives first and foremost from the coins' steep purchase price. At the Exposition they sold for $100 -- double face value and bundled with other commemorative denominations, which was a prohibitive cost for most prospective buyers. Many sets that were sold went to banks or wealthy buyers outside of the strict Exposition attendees. Moreover, the low sales figures of the round variant were also effected by the delivery of the round pieces being delayed, arriving later than other expo coinage, which dampened enthusiasm and contributed to slower uptake.

While much of the distributed net mintage survives for the round coin, Gem or better coins are exceedingly scarce. This Gem round coin displays a traditionally strong strike, engulfed in bright butter-gold luster, with no obtrusive abrasions. Eye appeal is exceptional, embodying everything the grade demands. The 1915-S fifty dollar gold pieces are among the rarest and most historically consequential of U.S. commemoratives from the early twentieth century. This example of the round variant is a stand-out piece in every respect. Listed among the 100 Greatest U.S. Coins. PCGS Population: 41 in 65 (9 in 65+), 4 finer (11/25).(Registry values: N10218)
From The Presidio Collection.

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

Weight: 83.59 grams

Metal: 90% Gold, 10% Copper

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