Lot 4214
1915-S Panama-Pacific Set including the box of issue. A complete five piece set of these famous commemorative coins including the original box of issue. Extremely Fine to Uncirculated. The half dollar has been lightly cleaned, with resulting hairlines in the fields but has retoned to a lovely tawny gold color. The one dollar gold coin has nice surfaces, but a touch of weakness in the strike on the letters TED of UNITED, the quarter eagle has some minor pin scratches on obverse. The $50 round has been lightly tooled on the edge, perhaps to remove some minor marks, and then the surfaces were cleaned. The design elements are quite strong, and this coin has probably just been mishandled, or was briefly used as a pocket piece. Finally, the $50 octagonal has also been cleaned, with moderate hairlines visible on the surfaces. All are well struck, and make a nice matched set that can be handled with less care than a gem mint state set. Think of that for just a moment, these coins can be "handled", unlike most numismatic treasures today. For the old time collector who understands.
These were struck to commemorate the Panama Pacific Exposition in San Francisco in 1915. Only 483 of $50 rounds were struck, and 645 of the $50 octagonals. As many went to non collectors, these coins were often mishandled, as seen here, at some time in the past. Popular because this is the only $50 commemorative issued of the period, and with lovely allegorical designs of Minerva and the owl on the large pieces, and splendid designs on the small gold coins and the half dollar as well. The box of issue shows some wear, with the lid slightly bent and the clasp no longer working. No doubt it has been opened and closed many times over the last 85 years to show the sparkling large gold coins inside. The purple velvet insert remains fresh, and the lid is boldly printed identifying the coins. Lot of 5 coins and the box of issue.
Estimated Value $30,000 - 35,000.
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| Realized $35,650 |
