1915-S Panama-Pacific International Exposition $1 Gold Piece PCGS Certified MS66

The Panama-Pacific International Exposition was a World’s fair held in San Francisco, California from February 20th to December 4th, 1915. Its official purpose was to celebrate the completion of the Panama Canal. However, it was widely seen as an opportunity to showcase the city’s extraordinary recovery from the devastating 1906 earthquake.

The United States government authorized the San Francisco Mint to produce a series of 5 spectacular commemorative coins, including a silver half dollar and four gold coins, to mark the occasion. The Panama-Pacific gold coins included round $1, $2.50, and $50 gold pieces, as well as a highly unusual and never before seen octagonal $50 gold piece. These coins were the first commemorative coins to bear the motto IN GOD WE TRUST and were the first commemoratives ever struck at a branch mint outside of Philadelphia.

Charles Keck, a well-known New York sculptor, was commissioned to design the gold dollar. The obverse of his design features a left-facing profile of a typical Panama Canal laborer. The reverse features the denomination of ONE DOLLAR with two dolphins above and below, symbolizing the joining of two oceans by the canal. This is encircled around the rim by the words PANAMA PACIFIC EXPOSITION and SAN FRANCISCO.

Despite the public’s favorable reception of the design, may fairgoers would not pay the $2.00 price tag for this $1.00 gold coin, resulting in 10,000 of the original 25,000 mintage being melted. Today, the Panama Pacific Gold coins are immensely popular, and the gold dollar is sought after due to its relatively affordable price.

Offered here is a high-grade mint state example of the Panama-Pacific International Exposition $1 Gold Piece commemorating one of the most impressive human engineering feats of the 20th century. You will receive the unique coin shown in the photos housed in a plush-lined box with a certificate of authenticity.

The condition of a coin is officially graded on a 70-point scale according to standards set forth by the American Numismatic Association. Grades under 60 represent circulated grades, while grades from 60 through 70 represent uncirculated, or “mint-state” grades. Very few, if any, older coins are known to exist in perfect MS70 grade. The coin offered for sale in this listing has been certified by one or more leading certification services so you can be confident in its authenticity and stated condition.