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Free Appraisal
1915-S 50C Panama-Pacific Set.
An incredible, original Pan-Pac set with invoices going back to 1915 and related paraphernalia. Included are:
1915-S Half Dollar MS66 NGC.
Rich, satiny mint luster is overlaid on the obverse with rose and golden color that deepens to sea-green around the margin. The reverse is deeply toned in charcoal and cobalt-blue colors. An extraordinary half dollar.
1915-S Gold Dollar NGC.
Double punched mintmark. The velvety, frosted surfaces are overlaid with thick reddish-golden coloration that shows just a touch of lilac here and there. Technically and visually, one of the finest gold dollars we have seen in recent memory.
1915-S Quarter Eagle MS66 NGC.
Myriad die polishing marks are seen in the fields on each side and the surfaces are an untampered bright green-gold and canary-yellow. Sharply struck and almost perfectly preserved.
1915-S Round Fifty Dollar MS66 NGC.
Generally these large-size coins are not found with this level of preservation and mint luster. As a rule, light handling over the decades has slightly dulled the surfaces and the coins have picked up a stray contact mark or two. This is an absolutely splendid coin. The surfaces have rich, frosted mint luster; in fact, we were not aware that these coins originally came with a finish like this until we saw this original set. Considerable reddish patina overlays each side and there are no mentionable abrasions.
1915-S Octagonal Fifty Dollar MS65 NGC.
The always-popular octagonal fifty is unique in the annals of U.S. coinage with dolphins set in the angles on each side. These decorative motifs have symbolic significance, of course, like everything else on these well-designed coins. The dolphins represent freedom of movement through the oceans, a design element that is of particular significance as the reason for striking these pieces was to celebrate the opening of the Panama Canal the previous year. Rarely are Ge
(PCGS# 7451)
Auction 388
| Lot: 2497 | Nov 5, 2005
Sold For:
$445,625.00
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Round MS66 PCGS. CAC.
(PCGS# 7451)
Auction 1348
| Lot: 4176 | Aug 28, 2022
Sold For:
$432,000.00
1915-S Panama-Pacific Set NGC.
This is the most famous set of these coins, and the present auction appearance is the first time this set has ever been offered for public competition. Each of the first coins struck from the dies of the half dollar, gold dollar, gold quarter eagle, the round and octagonal fifty dollar coins were gathered together and presented to Charles C. Moore, the president of the Exposition. The first octagonal gold coin was struck by Mint Superintendent T. W. H. Shanahan himself. All of the #1 or first strike specimens were placed in a special gold presentation case by Shreve & Co. This set is photographed in
Silver & Gold Commemorative Coins 1892 to 1954
by Anthony Swiatek and Walter Breen. Without a doubt, this set is one of the most historic and important of all commemorative issues and will certainly become the highlight of any advanced collection.
The 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition celebrated the opening of the Panama Canal on August 15, 1914. In addition, the celebration commemorated the 400th anniversary of the discovery of the Pacific Ocean by Balboa. Competition to host the fair was intense among cities, with President Taft announcing that San Francisco was selected in 1911. San Francisco was still recovering from the devastating earthquake and fire of 1906, and this international event helped provide employment and restore much civic pride to a city, which had literally been knocked to its knees. The site chosen for the Exposition is the current Marina District, which in 1911 was a mud flat. In all, 635 acres of mud were reclaimed for building sites, and construction of numerous buildings consumed over one hundred million feet of lumber and employed a small army of construction workers for three years. Landscape architect John McLaren, (also the designer of Golden Gate Park) was in charge of the exposition's landscaping, and worked closely with the many different architects involved in the project to ensure a harmonious appearance.<
Auction 382
| Lot: 10499 | Jul 30, 2005
Sold For:
$368,000.00
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Round MS66 PCGS Secure. CAC.
(PCGS# 7451)
Auction 1274
| Lot: 4459 | Apr 29, 2018
Sold For:
$336,000.00
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Round MS66 NGC. CAC.
(PCGS# 7451)
Auction 1359
| Lot: 3364 | May 7, 2023
Sold For:
$312,000.00
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Octagonal MS67 NGC.
At the time of issue and subsequently, much was made of the Classical elements of the fifty-dollar gold coins designed by Robert I. Aitken. What is important to realize, though, is not what the various design elements are and how they relate to coinage from the ancient Greeks. What is most important to know is what each of the various motifs represented to Americans in 1915. Undoubtedly, the round and octagonal fifties are the most symbolic of all United States coins. The head of Athena represents America with her helmet pushed back on her head in a ready but not warlike position, as this country closely followed the Great War in Europe and contemplated our own possible involvement in that bloody conflagration. Dolphins are positioned in the eight angles of the octagon, symbolizing the continuous water route completed by the Panama Canal. On the reverse, the owl seated on the Ponderosa pine, of course, represents wisdom. As art historian Cornelius Vermeule stated: "These coins were a tour de force, dated to be sure, but unusual enough in all respects to be worthy of what American numismatic art could achieve when creativity and Mint technique worked in unison."
Since so few people could afford to pay $100 for a $50 gold coin in 1915, the 645 octagonal and 483 round fifties are generally found in a high degree of preservation with the average coin in MS63-64 condition. However, an octagonal in MS67 is unprecedented in our experience. This is the only MS67 certified by either of the major grading services, and it is truly a phenomenal coin. The mint luster is bright and softly frosted with yellow-gold color that gives the coin even more visual appeal. The surfaces show no abrasions to the unaided eye, with the only marks of any note being two or three tiny, shallow abrasions on the cheek of Athena--but strong magnification is required to discern these minor flaws--otherwise the surfaces appear flawless. The striking details
(PCGS# 7452)
Auction 382
| Lot: 10443 | Jul 30, 2005
Sold For:
$289,671.20
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Octagonal MS66+ PCGS Secure.
(PCGS# 7452)
Auction 1271
| Lot: 5202 | Jan 8, 2018
Sold For:
$288,000.00
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Octagonal MS67 NGC.
(PCGS# 7452)
Auction 1204
| Lot: 5866 | Apr 27, 2014
Sold For:
$282,000.00
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Octagonal MS67 NGC.
(PCGS# 7452)
Auction 1216
| Lot: 4458 | Jan 12, 2015
Sold For:
$258,500.00
1915-S Original Five-Piece Panama-Pacific Set, Plus Leatherette Box and All Accompanying Literature.
(Total: 5 coins)
Auction 1359
| Lot: 3367 | May 7, 2023
Sold For:
$252,000.00
Make Offer to Owner
$378,000 or more
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Octagonal MS65+ NGC. CAC.
(PCGS# 7452)
Auction 1385
| Lot: 3544 | Aug 31, 2025
Sold For:
$228,000.00
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Octagonal MS66 PCGS.
(PCGS# 7452)
Auction 1385
| Lot: 3545 | Aug 31, 2025
Sold For:
$222,000.00
1915-S Panama-Pacific Five-Piece Set MS63-65 PCGS.
(Total: 6 pieces)
Auction 1231
| Lot: 5709 | Jan 11, 2016
Sold For:
$211,500.00
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Octagonal MS67 NGC.
(PCGS# 7452)
Auction 1121
| Lot: 4216 | Jan 11, 2009
Sold For:
$207,000.00
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Octagonal MS65 PCGS Secure. CAC.
(PCGS# 7452)
Auction 1234
| Lot: 4866 | May 1, 2016
Sold For:
$205,625.00
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Octagonal MS65 PCGS. CAC.
(PCGS# 7452)
Auction 1219
| Lot: 5516 | Apr 26, 2015
Sold For:
$205,625.00
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Round MS66 NGC.
(PCGS# 7451)
Auction 1371
| Lot: 4419 | Jan 14, 2024
Sold For:
$204,000.00
1915-S Five-Piece Panama-Pacific Set, MS63 to MS65 NGC.
(Total: 5 coins)
Auction 1333
| Lot: 3508 | Aug 22, 2021
Sold For:
$204,000.00
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Round MS66 NGC.
(PCGS# 7451)
Auction 1271
| Lot: 5199 | Jan 8, 2018
Sold For:
$204,000.00
A magnificent Gem or better set of 1915-S Panama-Pacific Commemoratives, Half through Fifty Dollar.
Half Dollar MS66 NGC.
Lovely amber and turquoise toning frames essentially brilliant centers. A solitary reeding mark to the left of the eagle precludes Superb status.
Gold Dollar MS66 PCGS.
A satiny, ultra frosty Gem with delicate hints of pastel blue and lilac patina.
Quarter Eagle MS67 NGC.
Impeccably preserved and boasting a bright, satiny sheen that far eclipses most examples seen.
Fifty Dollar Round NGC MS65★ NGC.
The Pan-Pac Fifty is one of the most beautiful coins ever minted and it is rife with symbolic meaning. Stuck on the eve of America's involvement in the First World War, the Greek helmet is pushed back on Liberty's head in a ready but not fully combative posture. The owl on the reverse signifies watchfulness. This is an absolutely splendid example with reddish-golden surfaces that are virtually unmarked and are endowed with satiny luster that is especially vibrant.
Fifty Dollar Octagonal MS65 NGC.
The net mintage of the octagonal Fifty Dollar is slightly larger its round counterpart (645 vs. 483 pieces), probably because of the novelty of the eight-sided design. There is no disputing the effect of the dazzling luster or the appealing reddish-golden color of this Gem. While light facial marks are noticed under a glass, these positive qualities were obviously taken into consideration on the final grade.
Accompanying this lot is the original case, cardboard box, and card of issue. The black leatherette case opens to display a purple velvet-lined interior with slots for each of the five denominations. The box and case have substantial value of their own, as most holders (and nearly all the boxes) have been discarded or damaged over the years. (Total: 5 Coins)
(PCGS# 7452)
Auction 349
| Lot: 6158 | Jun 5, 2004
Sold For:
$201,250.00
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Octagonal MS66 PCGS.
(PCGS# 7452)
Auction 1251
| Lot: 6126 | Jan 9, 2017
Sold For:
$199,750.00
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Round MS66 NGC.
(PCGS# 7451)
Auction 1348
| Lot: 4175 | Aug 28, 2022
Sold For:
$198,000.00
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Round MS65 PCGS.
(PCGS# 7451)
Auction 1390
| Lot: 3372 | Jan 17, 2026
Sold For:
$195,200.00
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Round MS66 NGC.
(PCGS# 7451)
Auction 1271
| Lot: 5195 | Jan 8, 2018
Sold For:
$192,000.00
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Round MS65 PCGS Secure. CAC.
(PCGS# 7451)
Auction 1251
| Lot: 6123 | Jan 9, 2017
Sold For:
$188,000.00
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Round MS66 NGC.
(PCGS# 7451)
Auction 1326
| Lot: 4132 | Jan 24, 2021
Sold For:
$186,000.00
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Octagonal MS66 PCGS.
(PCGS# 7452)
Auction 1311
| Lot: 4577 | Jan 12, 2020
Sold For:
$186,000.00
Make Offer to Owner
$336,000 or more
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Round MS66 NGC.
(PCGS# 7451)
Auction 1271
| Lot: 5200 | Jan 8, 2018
Sold For:
$186,000.00
1915-S Original Five-Piece Panama-Pacific Commemorative Set With Leatherette Box, Unc Details to MS64 PCGS.
(Total: 5 coins)
Auction 1364
| Lot: 3308 | Aug 20, 2023
Sold For:
$180,000.00
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Octagonal MS66 NGC.
(PCGS# 7452)
Auction 1359
| Lot: 3366 | May 7, 2023
Sold For:
$180,000.00
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Round MS65 PCGS.
(PCGS# 7451)
Auction 1334
| Lot: 3633 | Oct 10, 2021
Sold For:
$180,000.00
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Round MS65 PCGS.
(PCGS# 7451)
Auction 1223
| Lot: 4547 | Aug 12, 2015
Sold For:
$176,250.00
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Round MS65 PCGS.
(PCGS# 7451)
Auction 1209
| Lot: 3551 | Sep 6, 2014
Sold For:
$176,250.00
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Round MS66 NGC.
Assorted potentates, politicos, dignitaries, and luminaries gathered at the San Francisco Mint on June 15, 1915, to watch Mint Superintendent T.W.H. Shanahan strike the first octagonal fifty-dollar gold coins commemorating the Panama Pacific International Exposition. The exposition observed the opening of the Panama Canal in August 1914 and belatedly celebrated the 400-year anniversary of the 1513 sighting of the Pacific Ocean by the Spanish conquistador Vasco Nunez de Balboa. The exposition, an enormous world's fair that took more than three years to plan and build, was the vehicle chosen to pay tribute to these history-shaping events.
The construction and opening of the Panama Canal was so momentous in the annals of American history (as well as in Panamanian history, Latin-American relations, geographic exploration, disease treatment and control, commercial transport, travel and tourism, and hydraulic engineering, among many others) that Congress appropriated the then-gargantuan sum of 50 million dollars for an exposition to appropriately commemorate it. The completed canal, one of the largest and most difficult engineering projects ever undertaken, had an enormous effect on shipping. It removed the need for ships crossing from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean (or vice versa) to navigate the long, treacherous route via Cape Horn at the southernmost tip of South America. The canal reduced by more than 7,800 miles, or about 20 days, the distance for a voyage from New York to San Francisco. After intensive lobbying by several cities, President William Howard Taft in 1911 named San Francisco as the exposition site. This recognition gave the city the opportunity to show off to the world its extensive rebuilding since the horrific, massive earthquake and fire of 1906.
Congress specified numerous coins in varying denominations to be struck, including 3,000 of the fifty-dollar pieces, with half to be round, half octagonal. C
(PCGS# 7451)
Auction 414
| Lot: 5739 | Aug 14, 2006
Sold For:
$172,500.00
1915-S 50C Panama-Pacific Five-Piece Set (NGC) With Box and Correspondence From 1957 and 1959.
An impressive five-piece set that also includes an original box with working clasp and three pieces of correspondence regarding this set from 1959. Included are:
1915-S Panama-Pacific Half Dollar MS63 NGC.
Darker, variegated toning covers each side with bright underlying satiny luster. The highpoints of the eagle's breast show slight weakness of strike.
1915-S Panama-Pacific Gold Dollar MS63 NGC.
Even pinkish-lilac patina is seen over each side and there are no obvious or detracting marks to the unaided eye.
1915-S Panama-Pacific Quarter Eagle MS66 NGC.
An outstanding example of this scarce and difficult-to-locate commemorative gold coin. The fields show the usual swirling die polishing marks and striations between the eagle's legs. Undoubtedly, one of the "super-duper-gems" mentioned in the 1957 letter that accompanies this lot.
1915-S Panama-Pacific Fifty Dollar Octagonal MS64 NGC.
The obverse fields show a strong matte-like texture, while the field around the eagle on the reverse displays semi-circular die polishing marks. A few light abrasions are evident with a magnifier on the cheek of Athena, but this is definitely an arm's-length Gem. Rich orange-gold color and bright, satiny luster complete the overall appearance of this magnificent Octagonal fifty.
1915-S Panama-Pacific Fifty Dollar Round MS64 NGC.
The centers of each side are slightly hazy and there is a small but distinctive grease stain that was struck into the obverse just behind Athena's nose. The surfaces are free from any noticeable or distracting abrasions. While the Round fifties lack the unique octagonal shape of the other large-format gold coin from this exposition, they are actually significantly scarcer.
Original Black Box of Issue.
A premium box, the top shows slight waviness and the top is also just slightly bo
(PCGS# 7452)
Auction 400
| Lot: 4026 | Feb 11, 2006
Sold For:
$172,500.00
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Round MS65 NGC.
(PCGS# 7451)
Auction 1258
| Lot: 4233 | Aug 6, 2017
Sold For:
$164,500.00
Farouk's Five-Piece Panama-Pacific Commemorative Set With Cases and Documentation.
(Total: 9 items)
Auction 1121
| Lot: 4210 | Jan 11, 2009
Sold For:
$161,000.00
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Round MS65 PCGS.
(PCGS# 7451)
Auction 1380
| Lot: 4988 | Jan 19, 2025
Sold For:
$156,000.00
Make Offer to Owner
$234,000 or more
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Round MS65 PCGS.
(PCGS# 7451)
Auction 1310
| Lot: 10161 | Sep 17, 2020
Sold For:
$156,000.00
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Octagonal MS65 PCGS. CAC.
(PCGS# 7452)
Auction 1298
| Lot: 3975 | Aug 18, 2019
Sold For:
$156,000.00
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Round MS65 PCGS Secure.
(PCGS# 7451)
Auction 1251
| Lot: 6122 | Jan 9, 2017
Sold For:
$152,750.00
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Round MS65 PCGS.
(PCGS# 7451)
Auction 1181
| Lot: 5982 | Jan 14, 2013
Sold For:
$152,750.00
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Round MS65 PCGS.
(PCGS# 7451)
Auction 1390
| Lot: 3373 | Jan 17, 2026
Sold For:
$152,500.00
1915-S Five-Piece Panama-Pacific Commemorative Set, MS62 to MS65 NGC.
(Total: 5 coins)
Auction 1385
| Lot: 3546 | Aug 31, 2025
Sold For:
$150,000.00
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Round MS65 PCGS.
(PCGS# 7451)
Auction 1342
| Lot: 3388 | Feb 27, 2022
Sold For:
$150,000.00
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Round MS65 NGC. CAC.
(PCGS# 7451)
Auction 1298
| Lot: 3972 | Aug 18, 2019
Sold For:
$150,000.00
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Round MS65 NGC. CAC.
Though legislation to authorize the Panama-Pacific International Exposition commemoratives was well-known to Treasury officials in the months leading up to January 1915, the Mint did not formally commission artists until after the passage of legislation, which occurred on the 13th of that month. The next day, as reported in Roger Burdette's
Renaissance of American Coinage 1909-1915,
Acting Director Dr. Frederick P. Dewey called for a meeting in New York with four selected artists in the area: Robert Aitken, Charles Keck, Evelyn Longman, and Paul Manship. Aitken had been aware of the Treasury's search for commemorative designs for some time, while the other three artists received there first official notifications at the New York conference. The timetable laid out by Dewey was highly inflexible, and as events would later prove, it could not accommodate artistic revision well.
Despite the rapid pace demanded of the artists, all seemed up to the task, and within the month, Dewey had designs from all of them, which he sent on to the Commission of Fine Arts. Early in February, as related by Burdette, Daniel French spoke for the CFA in recommending all designs. Secretary of the Treasury William Gibbs McAdoo and Assistant Secretary William Malburn, however, had differing opinions; Malburn, as quoted by Burdette, disliked all but the gold dollar designs, and McAdoo added a statement of his own: "They are all poor, I think. Ask Philadelphia about them and let our own people submit some designs."
Of the outside artists approached to create motifs for the Panama-Pacific commemoratives, Aitken, who was responsible for the round and octagonal fifty dollar pieces, tackled the commission with the most gusto. His earlier communication with Treasury officials had given him ample time to plan his designs, and he was the sculptor with the most time invested in the project. After receiving McAdoo's letter of rejection, Aitk
(PCGS# 7451)
Auction 132104
| Lot: 27978 | Jan 27, 2021
Sold For:
$150,000.00
1915-S $50 Panama-Pacific 50 Dollar Round MS66 NGC.
Assorted potentates, politicos, dignitaries, and luminaries gathered at the San Francisco Mint on June 15, 1915, to watch Mint Superintendent T.W.H. Shanahan strike the first octagonal fifty-dollar gold coins commemorating the Panama Pacific International Exposition. The exposition observed the opening of the Panama Canal in August 1914 and belatedly celebrated the 400-year anniversary of the 1513 sighting of the Pacific Ocean by the Spanish conquistador Vasco Nunez de Balboa. The exposition, an enormous world's fair that took more than three years to plan and build, was the vehicle chosen to pay tribute to these history-shaping events.
The construction and opening of the Panama Canal was so momentous in the annals of American history (as well as in Panamanian history, Latin-American relations, geographic exploration, disease treatment and control, commercial transport, travel and tourism, and hydraulic engineering, among many others) that Congress appropriated the then-gargantuan sum of 50 million dollars for an exposition to appropriately commemorate it. The completed canal, one of the largest and most difficult engineering projects ever undertaken, had an enormous effect on shipping. It removed the need for ships crossing from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean (or vice versa) to navigate the long, treacherous route via Cape Horn at the southernmost tip of South America. The canal reduced by more than 7,800 miles, or about 20 days, the distance for a voyage from New York to San Francisco. After intensive lobbying by several cities, President William Howard Taft in 1911 named San Francisco as the exposition site. This recognition gave the city the opportunity to show off to the world its extensive rebuilding since the horrific, massive earthquake and fire of 1906.
Congress specified numerous coins in varying denominations to be struck, including 3,000 of the fifty-dollar pieces, with half to be round, half octagonal. C
(PCGS# 7451)
Auction 394
| Lot: 3650 | Jan 7, 2006
Sold For:
$149,500.00
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