Lot 2240
1915-S Panama-Pacific 5-piece Set. The coins grade About Unc to Brilliant Uncirculated. Comes with the original box of issue. The case includes the descriptive insert. A lovely set. Arguably, the most popular U.S. set ever issued!
The five thematic coins issued for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition stand at the apex of American commemoratives. In all, 60,000 half dollars were coined, of which 34 were kept back for assay. Of the 59,966 pieces available, 27,100 were eventually sold while the remainder were destroyed later at the Mint. 25,034 gold dollars were coined, of which 34 were used for assay and the balance all sold. 10,017 $2.50 gold pieces were struck, of which 17 were set aside for assay, leaving 10,000 available. Of these there were 6,750 sold and the rest were melted.
Turning next to the two prestige denominations in the set, there were 1,509 of the octagonal $50 pieces made, of which nine were used for assay, 646 were actually sold and the remainder went to the melting pot. There were 1,510 round $50 pieces including 10 for assay. Just 483 were sold.
All the Pan-Pacific coins were struck at the San Francisco Mint and bear the "S" mintmark. For the coining of the massive $50 pieces an hydraulic press weighing 14 tons, with a striking power of 450 tons, ordinarily used at the Philadelphia Mint for the minting of medals, was shipped by rail to the San Francisco Mint.
Historic note: Following the advent of third-party grading (PCGS, NGC, etc.), many original Panama-Pacific International Exposition sets were removed from their cases. It is now rare to find one with an original leather case for a five-coin Panama-Pacific Commemorative Set. The case shows some minor handling, as expected. The felt-lined mounting board inside the case is well preserved, as is the original card save for a few moderate crinkles and tears at the central top and bottom. The interior of the case is in quite nice condition. Original leather cases such as this are eagerly sought as integral parts of complete Panama-Pacific Commemorative sets.
Estimated Value $95,000 - 105,000.
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