This week I have chosen to feature one of my favorite
commemorative coins, a piece made for the Panama-Pacific Exposition. This $50
gold piece was one of five issues struck in association with the International
Exposition that celebrated the opening of the Panama Canal. The San Francisco
Mint struck 1,500 examples each of the octagonal and of the round issue. The octagonal
coins attracted more collector interest due to their shape and their intricate
dolphin border. However, both issues fell flat compared to expectations. At a
cost of $100 per coin, these were overpriced for the market, and many ended up
melted. We know that there were around 645 octagonal pieces distributed in
total, vs. 483 of the round version. This 1915-S Octagonal Panama-Pacific
Exposition $50 is graded MS-66 by NGC. It is offered in the Stack’s Bowers
Galleries Official Auction of the ANA as Lot
4287.
Coins in Motion seeks to enable collectors, bidders, and
consignors to accurately appreciate how Stack’s Bowers Galleries coins look in
hand. Ultra-high resolution animations depict how luster moves over the coin’s
surfaces, while the rotating motion allows for any possible imperfections to be
revealed. Stack’s Bowers Galleries is proud to have acquired Coins in Motion.
To view our YouTube Playlist dedicated to Coins in Motion, click here. Videos
are added weekly. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for more updates here.
