The 1915 Panama-Pacific International Expo and the Panama-Pacific Commemorative Coin Program
The 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition was an event held to celebrate the completion of the Panama Canal but also to show the world that San Francisco had fully recovered from a devastating earthquake nine years earlier. Held from February 20th to December 4th (1915), more than 19 million people visited the Exposition.
This exposition was going to be the world’s largest international exposition since the World’s Columbian Expo in 1893. Not only would the U.S. Mint prepare a silver half dollar coin, but there would also be a $1.00 gold coin, a $2.50 gold coin, and two $50.00 gold coins, the highest coin denominations ever struck to that time, and the only octagonal coin as well. Few of the coins would be struck at San Francisco’s Mint, not far from the exposition grounds, but many more would be struck at the Exposition itself, and they would be offered with various versions of official packaging that would rival that of official gifts to dignitaries.
Panama-Pacific Exposition Half Dollar
The half dollar was designed by Charles E. Barber for the obverse and George T. Morgan on the reverse. The obverse of the coin depicted a full body of Lady Liberty (not Columbia) facing left, scattering flowers as held in a basket by a cherub standing behind her. An abbreviated description of the exposition name, “PANAMA-PACIFIC EXPOSITION,” is present. The sun is rising on the Golden Gate and below that is a wave motif with the date “1915.”
The George T. Morgan reverse displays an American eagle. It’s standing on a shield, and there is an oak branch on one side of the shield and an olive branch on the other. Around the reverse periphery is the legend “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and below is the denomination “HALF DOLLAR”. The prescribed motto “IN GOD WE TRUST” was placed above the eagle. The half dollars were issued in oversize imprinted paper envelopes, with a description of the coin and the exposition on it. About 5,000 were issued.
Panama-Pacific Exposition Gold Dollar
The $1.00 gold commemorative coin was designed by Charles Keck. On the obverse, a man wearing the type of cap that a Canal worker would typically have worn faces left. The inscription “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and the date “1915” is on the left. The reverse depicts two dolphins swimming in a circle with the mintmark “S” and the denomination “ONE DOLLAR” between them. Around the periphery is the text “PANAMA-PACIFIC EXPOSITION” and “SAN FRANCISCO” surrounding the dolphins.
Panama-Pacific Exposition Quarter-Eagle Coin
The $2.50 dollar gold coin has a great deal of mythological symbolism. The obverse was designed by Charles E. Barber wand the reverse was designed by George T. Morgan. The obverse depicts Columbia riding side saddle and facing backward on a mythological hippocampus (combination of horse and sea dragon). She is holding a caduceus which symbolizes the medical achievements against malaria and yellow fever during the Canal’s completion. The legends “PANAMA-PACIFIC EXPOSITION” and the date “1915” encircle the devices.
The reverse depicts an eagle standing on a military standard, which is traditional of Roman influence, and on which is inscribed “E PLURIBUS UNUM” and the denomination “2 ½ DOL.” is below. These $2.50 gold coins were also distributed in paper-imprinted envelopes.
Panama-Pacific Exposition Gold $50 Coins
The two $50.00 gold coins were the largest denominations ever struck until modern bullion coinage. The coins were struck in two design shapes: round and octagonal.
The obverse and reverse were designed by Robert Aitken. The Greek Goddess Minerva, the godess of wisdom, strategic warfare, arts, crafts, and trade is wearing a crested battle helmet, pushed back on her head – signaling that she is not ready for war. She is wearing a suit of mail, which can be seen in small part on her. She has a shield by her side on which is inscribed “MCMXV (1915).” The legend “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and the denomination “FIFTY DOLLARS” encircling the periphery.
On the reverse is an owl facing left-center and is seated on a pine bough. The owl is a symbol of wisdom and the animal associated with Minerva. The legends “PANAMA-PACIFIC EXPOSITION – SAN FRANCISCO” are around the periphery and the motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM” is by the owl.
The only other difference beyond the shape of the coin (circular or octagonal) is the addition of eight swimming dolphins encircling both the obverse and reverse borders.
The coins were sold by coin dealer and promoter Farran Zerbe. 27,134 Panama-Pacific Exposition Half Dollars were sold, 15,000 Panama-Pacific Exposition Gold Dollars were sold, and 6,749 Panama-Pacific Exposition Quarter-Eagle Coins were sold. 483 round Panama-Pacific Exposition Gold $50 Coins were sold, and 645 octagonal coins were sold. Expand your collection today and shop other U.S. classic gold commemorative coins.
