Paul Song
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Lot 2104
1915-S Panama-Pacific $50 Octagonal MS63 NGC Fully lustrous and attractive for this prized rarity that boasts a mintage of just 645 pieces. The unusual shape of the eight sided or octagonal design brings to mind the elegant Humbert $50s of the same shape a few generations prior, also regarded with fond memories by any who had seen such majesty. Designed by Robert Aitken, the Panama-Pacific $50s display Liberty as Athena wearing her helmet pitched back upon the top of her head in classical fashion thus showing her face. The helmet is adorned with a band of laurel leaves and crested to give her further stature in keeping with historic Greek helmets of ancient period. The upper obverse field has the Motto IN GOD WE TRUST, with the Roman numerals date spanning her shoulder. A band encircles the design in which the balance of the denomination and country name are spelled out. Eight small dolphins swim in the corners of the octagonal shape. Athena is the goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, just warfare, mathematics, strength, strategy, the arts, crafts and skill. Gods and goddesses developed later by the Greeks were of more singular purposes, but Athena being born of Zeus through his aching head, required a great many skills to accomplish her missions and earn the endearing praise of the Greek population.
The reverse design continues with the classical theme of a Greek owl perched upon the branch of what appears to be a large pine tree with enormous pine cones and needles surrounding his perch. Matching outer circle with legends of the Exposition and city location, again with eight stylized dolphins in each of the corners of the design. Handsome quality and appealing with green-gold surfaces and no singularly mentionable marks or abrasions. These have been highly sought after since their initial release in 1915 and remain a very popular collector coin today. Accompanied with an original black leatherette case of issue.
The reverse design continues with the classical theme of a Greek owl perched upon the branch of what appears to be a large pine tree with enormous pine cones and needles surrounding his perch. Matching outer circle with legends of the Exposition and city location, again with eight stylized dolphins in each of the corners of the design. Handsome quality and appealing with green-gold surfaces and no singularly mentionable marks or abrasions. These have been highly sought after since their initial release in 1915 and remain a very popular collector coin today. Accompanied with an original black leatherette case of issue.
23 September 2013, 10:00 PDT
Los AngelesSold for US$76,050 inc. premium
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1915-S Panama-Pacific $50 Octagonal MS63 NGC
Fully lustrous and attractive for this prized rarity that boasts a mintage of just 645 pieces. The unusual shape of the eight sided or octagonal design brings to mind the elegant Humbert $50s of the same shape a few generations prior, also regarded with fond memories by any who had seen such majesty. Designed by Robert Aitken, the Panama-Pacific $50s display Liberty as Athena wearing her helmet pitched back upon the top of her head in classical fashion thus showing her face. The helmet is adorned with a band of laurel leaves and crested to give her further stature in keeping with historic Greek helmets of ancient period. The upper obverse field has the Motto IN GOD WE TRUST, with the Roman numerals date spanning her shoulder. A band encircles the design in which the balance of the denomination and country name are spelled out. Eight small dolphins swim in the corners of the octagonal shape. Athena is the goddess of wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law and justice, just warfare, mathematics, strength, strategy, the arts, crafts and skill. Gods and goddesses developed later by the Greeks were of more singular purposes, but Athena being born of Zeus through his aching head, required a great many skills to accomplish her missions and earn the endearing praise of the Greek population.
The reverse design continues with the classical theme of a Greek owl perched upon the branch of what appears to be a large pine tree with enormous pine cones and needles surrounding his perch. Matching outer circle with legends of the Exposition and city location, again with eight stylized dolphins in each of the corners of the design. Handsome quality and appealing with green-gold surfaces and no singularly mentionable marks or abrasions. These have been highly sought after since their initial release in 1915 and remain a very popular collector coin today. Accompanied with an original black leatherette case of issue.
The reverse design continues with the classical theme of a Greek owl perched upon the branch of what appears to be a large pine tree with enormous pine cones and needles surrounding his perch. Matching outer circle with legends of the Exposition and city location, again with eight stylized dolphins in each of the corners of the design. Handsome quality and appealing with green-gold surfaces and no singularly mentionable marks or abrasions. These have been highly sought after since their initial release in 1915 and remain a very popular collector coin today. Accompanied with an original black leatherette case of issue.