Whitman Expo
1915-S Panama-Pacific Expo Gold $50 MS Octagonal Values
Details
The 1915-S Panama-Pacific Octagonal $50 is the other half of a pair of $50 gold commemoratives the United States Mint struck to honor the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition in San Francisco. The Pan-Pac Octagonal $50 was struck in slightly higher numbers than its similarly large but round counterpart, with 645 examples of the octagonal struck versus just 483 of the round variety. However, both are regarded as highly rare coins and together represent two of the most famous commemorative coins the United States has ever made. They were made in conjunction with three other Pan-Pac commemoratives, including a silver half dollar, gold dollar, and gold quarter eagle.
The Pan-Pac Octagonal $50 was designed by Robert Aitken and shows a helmeted head of Minerva on the obverse and an owl, representing wisdom, on the reverse. Eight little dolphins fill the spaces between the outer edge of the circular obverse and reverse devices and the eight-pointed edges of the coin. The majority of Pan-Pac Octagonal $50 coins distributed still exist, and most of these are known in uncirculated condition. When they hit the marketplace, they are typically encountered in grades of MS60-64, with a couple dozen or so known in MS65 or higher grades. All Gems are reliably six-figure coins, while those in the lower grades generally realize prices in the strong five figures.
Basic Information
GSID:
10216
Coin Date:
1915-S
Denomination:
G$50 / Gold $50
Designation:
MS
Mint & Coinage Details
Mint Location:
San Francisco
Mintage:
645
Coinage Type:
Classic Commemorative
Coinage Years:
1903–1926
Composition:
90% gold; 10% copper
Mint Mark:
S
Varieties and Classification
Variety:
Panama-Pacific Expo
Variety 2:
Octagonal
Physical Characteristics
Fineness:
0.9
Weight:
83.59 gr
Weight:
2.6875 oz
Precious Metal Weight:
2.4186 oz
Strike Type:
Business
Diameter:
44.9 mm
Coin Shape:
Octagonal
