1915-S 5pc Panama-Pacific Gold & Silver Set PCGS

The five dramatic thematic coins struck for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition stand alone at the zenith of American commemoratives. These numismatic classics were offered at the Expo in one, three, four, and five coin box sets—as well as within five- and ten-coin copper frames. It is a strong possibility that the set currently being offered by AUCM is one of those special five piece sets with its original copper frame. When you purchase this set, you will own what is arguably the most popular U.S. Commemorative set ever produced.

Poster of the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco.

1915-S Panama-Pacific Half Dollar PCGS MS65

U.S. Mint Chief Engraver Charles E. Barber crafted quite an aesthetically pleasing and artistic obverse design. It presents the image of Columbia tossing flowers from a cornucopia held by a cupid. George T. Morgan adapted his famous eagle from the Morgan dollar for the reverse of this dramatic issue. It is perched upon a Union shield, within a wreath composed of an oak branch (left) and an olive branch (right). This is very rare with its mintage of 27,134. PCGS has graded 597 as MS65, with 531 finer. The Collectors Universe price is $2,250.00 in MS65.

1915-S Panama-Pacific $50 Gold Round PCGS MS62

1915-S Panama-Pacific $50 Gold Octagonal PCGS MS 62

Prominent New York sculptor Robert Aitkin was awarded the commission to create the design for both versions of the $50 gold Pan-Pac coin. His designs were a presentation of classical themes upon modern numismatic art. The obverse offers a left-facing bust of Minerva, the multifaceted Roman goddess of wisdom and strategic warfare, justice, law, victory and a sponsor of the arts and commerce. Her crested helmet is pushed back to represent peaceful intentions, symbolic of the American attitude towards Europe's butchery of the 'War to End All Wars'--as World War I was known at the time. The reverse presents an owl perched upon a Ponderosa Pine, surrounded by pinecones. The owl was a sacred animal to Minerva and is commonly recognized as a symbol of wisdom.

PCGS has graded 72 examples of the Round $50 Pan-Pac as MS62 with 274 finer. The Collectors Universe price for this issue in MS62 is $81,000.00. The mintage was 483.

PCGS has graded 109 specimens of the Octagonal $50 Pan-Pac as MS62 with 354 finer. The Collectors Universe price for this issue is $81,500.00. The mintage was 645.

1915-S Panama-Pacific Gold $1 PCGS MS64

Sculptor Charles Keck honored the Panama Canal worker with his obverse design of the 1915-S Pan-Pac Gold $1, while the reverse depicts playful dolphins encircling ONE DOLLAR; this design represented two oceans meeting with the construction of the Canal. Out of the mintage of 15,000, PCGS has graded 1,803 as MS64 with 2,394 finer. The Collectors Universe price of this issue is $775.00 in MS64.

1915-S Panama-Pacific Gold $2.50 PCGS MS62

A collaboration of Charles E. Barber and George T. Morgan, Barber’s obverse presents the goddess Columbia sitting upon a hippocampus, a Greek mythological sea horse. She holds the caduceus, symbolizing medical advances against yellow fever that helped make construction of the Panama Canal possible. Morgan’s reverse offers a dramatic eagle lurching left, atop a plaque with the inscription E PLURIBUS UNUM. From the mintage of 6,749 there have been 160 pieces graded MS62 by PCGS with 2,305 finer. The Collectors Universe price is $3,000.00 for this issue in MS62.

An Historic Note

Over the years, many of these Panama-Pacific Exposition coin sets were removed from their cases and frames. That resulted in them being consequently lost or destroyed. Therefore, today in the 21^st century, it is exceedingly rare to find a complete five-piece set of the Pan-Pac coins with its original copper case. The case offered along with this 5-coin set by AUCM is in excellent condition with unfaded purple velvet. Original cases, such as this one, are greatly desired by collectors in order to fully complete a Panama-Pacific Commemorative set. This exquisite, well-balanced set, with its original case, will be the pride and joy of the collector who takes possession of it.