Numismatic

1915-S Gold $1.00 Panama-Pacific MS-65 PCGS

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In 1915, the San Francisco Mint struck a distinctive gold dollar to mark two monumental achievements: the completion of the Panama Canal and the remarkable recovery of San Francisco following the devastating 1906 earthquake. This coin was distributed solely at the landmark Panama-Pacific International Exposition, serving as a physical keepsake of a transformative moment in global trade and American resilience. Out of the original mintage of 25,000 pieces, more than 10,000 were melted down the very next year, making surviving examples highly prized by historians and enthusiasts. The coin features a unique design by Charles Keck that departs from traditional allegorical figures. The obverse depicts the profile of a canal builder, representing the immense human labor required to construct the waterway. On the reverse, two dolphins encircle the central denomination, representing the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans joined together by the newly opened canal. This certified MS-65 example preserves the crisp details of this historic artistic tribute.