Days Of Classic US Commemorative Coins

Day Four: 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition Half Dollar

Why issued?

To help raise funds for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition held in San Francisco; the Exposition celebrated the completion of the Panama Canal in 1914.

Design // Designer

Obverse: A left-facing Columbia (an allegorical representation of America) scattering flowers she has drawn from an overflowing cornucopia being held by a naked child. In the background is seen the sun setting over the Pacific Ocean. // Charles E. Barber

Reverse: US shield surmounted by an American (Bald) Eagle. // George T. Morgan

Net Mintage:

1915: 27,134

Quick Facts: The coins for the Pan-Pac Exposition were the first US commemoratives to be struck at the San Francisco Mint.

Here's my 1915-S Pan-Pac. It's a lustrous MS-65 example. It took me some time to find an upgrade for the MS-64 coin I had, as many of the MS-65 coins I looked at had spotty, unattractive coloring or poor luster. The piece shown here is nice and clean and almost seems to shimmer.






In addition to the silver and gold coins it struck, the US Mint also produced a set of souvenir commemorative medals for the Exposition. The medals were struck in silver, bronze and gilt (gold-plated bronze). Here's one from my set.

Here's mine

She's got the blues

@nickelsearcher
It weights 12.53g but diameter is 30.73mm which is just a tad over. It looks like it was lightly cleaned but as far as I can tell it looks silver.

Marek101 ...

What I know from many years of experience in studying this series is that you have shown photos of a non-authentic example.

All the details are wrong ... suggest that you compare your 'coin' to my PCGS certified examples (either of them).

Easiest observation ... compare the obverse font on your 'coin' latest photo with any other genuine example already posted ... and also check out where the sun rays stop on the obverse.

I know ... it might be difficult to accept that you paid for a replica ... but that is what indeed you have.

Hopeful for you on two fronts ... first that you did not pay too much for it ... and second that you stay tuned through the remainder of this thread to gain additional knowledge ... the mission of the CCF.

You did the rest of us a great service by sharing photos of this 'black cabinet' example ... hopeful that others learn from it.

David

Day Five: 1918 Illinois Centennial ("Lincoln")

Why issued?

To mark the 100th anniversary of Illinois being admitted into the Union; Illinois was the 21st State.

Design // Designer

Obverse: A right-facing portrait of a young President-elect Abraham Lincoln (circa 1861); the design was based on the statue of Lincoln sculpted by Andrew O'Connor. // George T. Morgan

Reverse: An American (Bald) Eagle, with wings elevated, facing to the left; one leg/talon is perched on the US shield, the other on a rock. // John R. Sinnock

Net Mintage:

1918: 100,000

Quick Facts: The Illinois/Lincoln was the first US commemorative coin to not have any of its mintage melted; the US Mint struck the full 100,000 coins authorized for issue and none of them were returned to the Mint by the coin's sponsor.

Here's a link to one of my prior posts about the Illinois Centennial half dollar: https://goccf.com/t/161720


Here's my 1918 Illinois Centennial piece. It's a lustrous MS-65 example in an "old" PCGS green holder. The coin has a great look in hand.

Another example obtained in my youth.