1915-S Panama-Pacific Exposition $50. Round. MS-64 (NGC). CAC. This is a beautiful Choice survivor of this legendary commemorative issue. Warm shades of peach and honey-gold color glow with intensity under a light. The texture is matte-like and exceptionally smooth for such a large size gold type, most survivors of which show noticeable friction in and around the central obverse. This is a premium quality example for both the issue and the assigned grade. It is free of notable blemishes and approaching Gem quality in many respects. <p>The rare and impressive Panama-Pacific $50 commemoratives are featured in the popular reference <em>100 Greatest U.S. Coins </em>by Jeff Garrett and Ron Guth, where they are ranked #29 in the fifth (2019) edition. The obverse of this type depicts Liberty as Athena with her helmet pitched up upon her head in the fashion of the ancient Greeks, surrounded by the legend UNITED STATES OF AMERICA above, and the denomination FIFTY DOLLARS below. The motto IN GOD WE TRUST is located in the upper left field. For the reverse the designer, Robert Aitken, featured a large owl facing nearly forward, perched on a thick pine branch, with large pine cones below and in the background. The motto E PLURIBUS UNUM is tucked into the field behind the owl. Matching the obverse is a round band at the perimeter which notes the name and place of the Exposition. On the similar octagonal $50 pieces (but not the round), an extra border with dolphins symbolize the continuous waterway created by the opening of the Panama Canal.</p><p>The round version of the Panama-Pacific Exposition $50s did not sell as well as the octagonal style at the time of issue in 1915, hence a greater percentage of this type was returned to the Mint for melting. Of the 1,500 round examples struck, only 483 were distributed, making it the rarest collectible U.S. Mint commemorative coin. A good number of those sold, perhaps the majority, went into non-numismatic hands and as a result, they are occasionally seen with quite a bit of handling or other surface problems. Few remain in such exceptional preservation as the present piece, making it an opportunity for collectors who seek the finest treasures.<br /></p> From the Dr. Paul and Rosalie Zito Collection. Acquired April 1, 2003.
