Lot 4232
1915-S Panama-Pacific Gold $50 Round. PCGS graded MS-63 PQ. Wonderful luster with excellent smooth surfaces.A lock-solid frosty specimen with strong primary luster and rich toned highlights on both sides. More than adequately struck for the Type, in fact 100% so as seen in the stylized olive branch on the helmet as well as the parallel lines of the crest. Since this rare issue is extremely expensive, it improves the situation to find one without the least little weakness in the design. Clearly, a coin that gets extra points and our "Premium Quality" stamp of approval where fullness of design is concerned. For only the second time in a United States coin, the date is rendered in Roman numerals: MCMXV for 1915. The mint of origin also happens to be the locale of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, San Francisco, California.
It is claimed this press could strike a coin with a pressure of 450 tons per square inch. By comparison, Morgan Silver Dollars required no more than 150 tons of force. This medal press struck 1,500 of each $50 gold piece, for a total 3,000 coins or nearly 7,500 ounces (value today at $380 an ounce = $2,775,000). At $100 apiece, there were few takers and so only 645 Octagonal and 483 Round 'fifties were sold. The overage was melted. This is the largest denomination coin ever issued by the United States, and also the heaviest at approximately two and one-half ounces.900 Fine. Pop 120; 76 in 64; 8 in 65. (PCGS # 7451) .
Estimated Value $60,000 - 65,000.
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| Realized $71,300 |
