Lot 4492
1915-S Panama-Pacific Gold $50 Octagonal. PCGS graded MS-64 PQ. CAC Approved. Lovely natural toning on both sides. Choice for the grade. Only 645 struck. A lustrous virtual-gem that has soft, smooth luster and rich golden finish. Desirable with this exact strike, as well, even though we need to point out all examples show signs of careful manufacture since the minting ceremonies (plural) were viewed by the public and a roomful of dignitaries. This handsome specimen is a brilliant reminder of that occasion. It has sharpness everywhere and eye-appeal without limit!
At the ceremony initiating the striking of the $50 Octagonals, Mint Superintendent T.W.H. Shanahan struck the first octagonal coin. This went into a five-piece set (half dollar, dollar, quarter eagle and both fifties), which contained the #l specimens of the other denominations; the set was housed in a special gold presentation case made by Shreve & Co., and was presented to Charles C. Moore, president of the Exposition. In a public statement, Shanahan made the erroneous claim on striking the first piece that he was "about to strike the first 50-dollar coin ever issued under authority of law in the United States." He was unaware, like most numismatists until recent years, that the original octagonal fifties issued 1851-53 by Augustus Humbert, either as United States Assayer of Gold or as the United States Assay Office of Gold, were issued under authority of law, specifically the Act of September 30, 1850, and that it was under this authority that Humbert obtained his hubs from the Philadelphia Mint (the original dies being the work of Charles Cushing Wright under federal contract), and that the dies bore the inscription UNITED STATES OF AMERICA identically to those on coins from regular branch mints. Nevertheless, the 1915-S Panama-Pacific fifties are historic objet d'art of immense importance to American numismatics. Pop 115; 18 finer; 17 in 65; 1 in 66. (PCGS # 7452) .
Estimated Value $80,000 - 85,000.
Ohringer Family Trust Holdings.
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| Realized $89,700 |
