Commems Collection Classic: 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition - Gold Dollar Design

Among the designs used on the various coins issued on behalf of the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition, I've long believed the design on the Gold Dollar by Charles Keck to be a strong, modern design that "put a human face" on the incredibly immense and complex construction project that was the building of the Panama Canal. Its obverse depiction of a canal worker, wearing a cap, as a symbolic representation of "Labor" worked for me.

A contemporary account in the American Numismatic Association's The Numismatist, however, saw things differently:

"...the gold dollar is an abomination. Nearly every one who sees the piece wants to know why they put the head of a ball player on it. Not one correctly guessed that the profile represented "labor. " Labor as heretofore depicted is shown with a strong intellectual face, brawny arms and the implements of mechanical work. Note the figure on the two dollar bill [A reference to the 1899 $2 Silver Certificate that depicts Mechanics as a muscular male figure?]. A very different conception to the face with a vacant stare and the brow covered with a slouch hat."

Maybe it was Keck's move away from traditional allegorical symbolism to a more modern interpretation? In any case, I don't think "abomination" was a deserved criticism. But, to each his own!

1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition Gold Dollar


Your thoughts?


For other of my topics on commemorative coins and medals, including more on the Pan-Pac coins, see: Commems Collection.