The opening of the Panama Canal in 1914 represented one of the greatest technical feats of the world’s history at the time. Through the 1800 -century, Businessmen across the globe wanted to send goods quickly and cheaply between the Atlantic and the Pacific coasts-and the long-awaited opening of the Panama Canal transformed global trade.
The had Has been long to come. In 1881 the French tried and failed to build a way to connect the Atlantic and the Pacific. When the United States took over it in 1904 and took the project to completion in 1914, it cemented the technological skill and the growing influence of America on the world stage.
In January 1915, Congress approved the production of five memorial coins for Panama-Pacific International Exposition to be held that year in San Francisco. The legislation approved a silver half dollar, a gold dollar, a gold $ 2.50 and two $ 50 gold pieces (one round and an octagonal). The octagonal version was the first and only time the American mint produced a non-round coin.
However, the American mint faced challenges during the production of 1915-S Panama-Pacific Coins. First there was the tight timeline. The authorizing legislation for the coins was passed in early January 1915, yet Panama-Pacific International Exposition opened on February 20, 1915!
The law required coins to be ready at the opening of the exhibition, which turned out to be impractical due to the short timeframe between the passage of the law and the start of the fair. The coin tried to act quickly, but coins were not available for sale at the opening of the exhibition.
Then there was also the coin mark controversy. A larger production hike arose when the first one dies for the gold dollar, and half a dollar arrived in San Francisco Mint without the usual “s” mint field!
The Philadelphia Mint Superintendent had thought that the coin mark was unnecessary when all coins were hit in San Francisco, but Mint Director Robert W. Woolley disagreed, and feared confusion with Philadelphia questions and local departure. As a result, all dies had to be returned to Philadelphia for reworking to include the coin mark, which caused even more delays.
Today, the 1915-S Panama-Stock Ocean memorials are among the most stored and sought-after problems in American numismatics, partly because of the remarkable results they remember.
Between February and December 1915, over 18 million people from all over the world visited Panama-Pacific International Exposition, sitting on over 600 hectares in San Francisco’s Marina district.
The exhibition celebrated the completion of the Panama Canal and also showcased San Francisco’s remarkable improvement from the devastating earthquake and fire in 1906. The world fair also promoted technological and motor progress, including a demonstration of a transcontinental phone call and events to promote the use of cars.
These coins are embossed to celebrate a central moment in the US history and embodies both artistic performance and historical significance. Charles Keck designed 1915-S Panama-Pacific $ 1 Gold Coal. The front has the leader of a man representing a Columbian worker. On the back, two dolphins surround a dollar.
Charles E. Barber designed the 50c silver memorial mark that shows Lady Liberty spread flowers on the back and an eagle lying on a union screen on the back.
1915-S Panama-Pacific Commemorative Coins are sustained symbols of American technical skill and resilience. Their origin of a world fair celebrating the Panama Canal and San Francisco’s rebirth, combined with their low mining, artistic beauty and deep historical significance, cemented their place among the most valued American memorials.
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