Panama Canal Commemorative Issue

Nice ...

Are you able to research the medal and provide some historical context?

David

The Panama Canal Completion medal was carried on the SS Cristobal during the unofficial first ocean-to-ocean crossing of the canal; the test trip occurred on 3 August 1914. The official "first trip" came on 15 August 1914 and was completed by the SS Ancon, the sister ship of the Cristobal. The Ancon trip carried government officials, foreign diplomats, assorted invited VIPs and members of the press â€" but not the medals.

A total of 50,000 serial numbered medals were on board the Cristobal. Many of the medals were distributed to government, industry and religious leaders around the world, a number were given to members of the press who were covering the canal's opening. The entire mintage was not distributed, however, and specimens were available and being sold within the Canal Zone Commissaries into the mid-1920s for $1.00 each.

While it is often listed as a scarce medal, the medal is available on a regular basis, with nice examples typically selling in the range of $125 to $175 (though exceptional piece can bring noticeably more).

Very Cool!

Worth101,

ebay sold listings show HK-398 has sold for between $95 and $140.

I don't know if lower #'s carry a premium or not--the person most likely able to answer that is commems.

-MV

Thanks for those replies back in 2016. Re-reading again. I still have the medallion, SN 587. Although it's not graded by NGC, it is in a cardboard holder and doesn't appear to be circulated. I would grade it MS64, maybe MS65.
It was helpful with HK-398 as a search parameter.
NGC site lists a MS64 on 6/8/2017 auction price at $329.

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Worth - Great pic, and



to the CCF!