Lot 2718
1915-S Panama-Pacific Gold $50 Octagonal. NGC graded MS-65. Frosty and light golden toning. The surfaces on this handsome coin are judged by us to be bright gold in color, and quite lustrous, with the MS65 grade acting on behalf of its outstanding quality. Don't expect the usual halfhearted impression left by the striking of the dies that made this piece, for all Pan-Pacific $50 Octagonals we are glad to report were made with care and attention. They were struck on a special medal press shipped to San Francisco just for the striking ceremony. This is a very bold coin with sharp centers and all legends complete. A prestigious offering!
The obverse of both fifty dollar coins depicts the Roman goddess Minerva (same as the Greek goddess Athena), while the reverse displays an owl, said to be sacred to Minerva and a symbol of wisdom. Some suggest that the motifs alluded to the need for America to be watchful and prepared on the eve of this country's involvement in World War I, already raging in Europe. The basic round and octagonal designs were the same, everything from the outer text ring inward, though reduced in size for the octagonal piece. On both obverse and reverse Aitken placed an unbroken circle of dolphins into the spaces provided by the angled corners of the octagonal design. Dolphins were considered friends and guardians of sailors, and were symbolic of the new connection between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans provided by the Panama Canal (PCGS # 7452) .
Estimated Value $100,000 - 110,000.
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| Realized $100,625 |
