1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition, Octagonal Gold

About the Gold

The Gold 1903-1926 commemorative coins were produced by the United States Mint to commemorate major events and individuals from US history in the early 20th century. These coins are highly sought after by collectors due to their scarcity and historical significance. The coins feature a variety of designs, and each coin has unique specifications that make them stand out.

The Plain Edge $10 coins were issued in 1903 to celebrate the Louisiana Purchase. They have a mintage of just 13,887 and showcase a design featuring Thomas Jefferson and theFlags of the World. The obverse of the coin features a bust of Thomas Jefferson flanked by flags of the five nations involved in the purchase of the land. The reverse features the words “Peace and Plenty” circling an ornate emblem with 13 stars, representing the original 13 colonies.

The High Relief $20 coins were issued in 1908-1909 to commemorate the city of San Francisco's recovery from a devastating earthquake. These coins featured a design depicting Moses standing on the shore of the lake of Tiberias, part of the Sea of Galilee. The obverse of the coin bears the words “By the light of the Star of Bethlehem” with underneath it the American eagle with outstretched wings, holding the olive branches of peace and a shield. The reverse reads “To commemorate the rebuilding of the city of San Francisco after the great fire of April 18th 1906”, with an image of a phoenix-like bird taking flight.

The Panama-Pacific coins were issued in 1915 to commemorate the Panama-Pacific International Exposition held in San Francisco. These coins featured a design showing the Liberty goddess holding an olive branch in her left arm and a shield in her right, while standing on a plinth, with a bursting sun behind her. The obverse of the coin displays the words “In God We Trust”.

The Lexington-Concord coins were released in 1925 to commemorate the sesquicentennial of the Battle of Lexington. The coins featured either a regular strike or a special striking. The regular strike features a wheat wreath encircling the words “In Commemoration of the Sesquicentennial of the Battle of Lexington-Concord”, with a Liberty torch plunging outward from the center. The special striking coins, struck in higher relief, featured the same design on their obverse, but their reverse side is unique and features an eagle with spread wings in the center and the words “1775 - 1925” encircling it.

The last of the Gold 1903-1926 commemorative coins is the Sesquicentennial of American Independence coin, issued in 1926 to honor the 150th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The coins were designed by James Earle Fraser and feature a representation of George Washington, as he gives a speech during the Continental Congress in 1776. The obverse side of the coin also reads “150th Anniversary of American Independence” and has the date 1776-1926.

The Gold 1903-1926 commemorative coins are highly sought-after collector’s items and a beautiful reminder of US history during the early 20th century. The various designs, limited mintages and special strikings of these coins make them an invaluable addition to any collection.

The 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition, Octagonal Gold coin, has a total mintage of 645, struck at the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania mint, and engraved by Robert Aitken. Made of gold (.900), weighing 83.59 grams, with a diameter of 44 mm, and featuring a reeded edge.

The obverse is minerva bust helmeted left. It reads “UNITED · STATES·OF·AMERICA ·IN GOD WE TRUST· ·M·C·M·X·V· · FIFTY DOLLARS ·”. The reverse is owl pearched on california pine branch. It reads “PANAMA-PACIFIC·EXPOSITION ·E PLURIBUS UNUM· S ·SAN FRANCISCO·”.