Lot 1458
1915-S Panama-Pacific Gold $50 Round. PCGS graded MS-63. Lovely golden toning. Only 483 struck. Because of its limited original mintage the 1915-S Panama-Pacific Round $50 is rarely obtainable without a long search. Virtually all survivors are in the various Mint State grades, HOWEVER. This is because collectors emerged from the San Francisco celebrations having spent a great deal of money for even a single $50 specimen (the retail price was double face value, or $100 each) so that even 50 years later on these were still found only in wealthy individuals' collections.
A decent number of Choice Uncirculated specimens exist. Almost without exception, however, Mint State coins display enough handling marks or soft luster from cleaning as to preclude the full "choice" designation we give to this particular coin. A full Gem rating by today's standards would be nice, but then it might double the price! With uncommonly lustrous surfaces and an overall bold strike that includes emerging definition in the centers of Minerva's stylized garland on the helmet, the coin in this lot may have entered numismatic channels from a source such as an old estate. It is spot-free. It is just a more fortunate survivor from those days of yore; fortunate in that it survived nearly a century stored with care by its former owners, noteworthy for its lack of abrasions. This Pan-Pacific $50 stands as one of the most outstanding 1915-S specimens available in its grade. There are many avid collectors who specialize in this popular series. Pop 119; 80 in 64; 9 in 65. (PCGS # 7451) .
Estimated Value $55,000 - 60,000.
|
| |
| Realized $63,250 |
