Complete Three-Piece Set of 1915-S Panama-Pacific Exposition Commemorative Coins, (PCGS), with the Original Leather Presentation Case. A fully original, exceedingly rare, and highly desirable offering for the advanced collector of classic U.S. Mint commemorative coinage. The three coins in this set are individually graded and encapsulated by PCGS, as follows:<p><strong>1915-S Panama-Pacific Exposition Half Dollar. MS-65 (PCGS).</strong> A wonderfully original, silky smooth Gem bathed in a bold blend of antique gold, cobalt blue, steel gray, salmon pink and copper-rose. The obverse is the more vividly patinated of the two sides, although both reveal intense mint luster as the coin rotates under a light.<p><strong>1915-S Panama-Pacific Exposition Gold Dollar. MS-64 (PCGS).</strong> Delightful medium gold surfaces are sharply struck with a smooth appearance in hand.<p><strong>1915-S Panama-Pacific Exposition Quarter Eagle. MS-63 (PCGS). CAC.</strong> This handsome piece exhibits a blend of deep orange-rose patina and billowy mint luster. Boldly struck for the type with an attractively original appearance.<p>Also included in this lot is the <strong>Original Leather Presentation Case</strong> in which the coins were obtained from the Panama-Pacific Exposition in 1915, and in which they were housed until certified in preparation for inclusion in this sale. The case is virtually as made, what would be classified as Choice About Uncirculated if it were a coin or medal. The clasp is fully functional, the leather on the exterior overall smooth with minimal rubbing at the corners and along the rear bottom edge from normal handling. There are only a few faint scratches and scuffs on the lid and base, far less than what is typically seen on these original leather cases. The interior of the case is just as well preserved with smooth, bright purple velvet. The inside of the lid is printed in gold PANAMA- / PACIFIC / COMMEMORATIVE / COINS. This is easily one of the best preserved and most visually appealing cases from this exposition that we have ever handled.<p>Celebrating the opening of the Panama Canal by the S.S. Ancon on August 15, 1914, the Panama-Pacific Exposition of 1915 was one of the greatest fairs conducted in the United States up to that point in time. More than $50 million was spent on this exposition, which was held in San Francisco and ran from February 20, 1915 to December 4, 1915. By the time it closed, the Panama-Pacific Exposition had been visited by more than 19 million people.<p>An Act of Congress dated January 16, 1915 authorized the United States Mint to strike five different coin types to commemorate the Panama-Pacific Exposition and celebrate the opening of the Panama Canal. The San Francisco Mint struck half dollars, gold dollars, quarter eagles and two variants of $50 gold -- octagonal and round -- that were offered for sale to exposition visitors by the Panama-Pacific International Exposition Coin and Medal Department. Among the options available to attendees was a three-piece set featuring the half dollar, gold dollar and quarter eagle, the coins sold in a leather case with purple velvet lining for $7.50. This is one of those sets, the coins remaining in the case and each one carefully and originally preserved until being certified for inclusion in this sale. Among our most important offerings for Panama-Pacific Exposition commemoratives of all time, we expect this beautiful set to fetch a strong price from a discerning collector.<p>(Total: 3 coins; 1 case) From our ANA Auction of August 2019, lot 5431.
