Quick Coinage Facts
Years Minted: 1915
Mints: San Fancisco
Composition: 0.90 gold, 0.10 copper
Diameter: 50.8 mm
Weight: 83.55 grams
Total Mintage: 483
Description
The Panama Pacific Exposition Commemorative $50 piece was one of a group of 5 coins minted to mark the celebration of the opening of the Panama Canal in 1915. In addition to the massive $50 gold pieces there was a silver half dollar and Gold $1 and $2 1/2 pieces of standard size for the denomination.
The set of commemoratives was authorized by Congress through Public Law No. 63-233 on January 16, 1915. The $50 pieces were designed by Robert I. Aitken, a New York artist.
The Obverse design features the head of the goddess Minerva with a Corinthian style helmet including a Horsehair comb and an engraved wreath of laurel leaves resting back on her head. The date is found in Roman numerals (MCMXV) in an arch on the lower right. The inscription “IN GOD WE TRUST” is above Minerva’s brow in the upper right. The entire central portrait is enclosed in a ring of beads. Outside the ring is the inscription “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” and “FIFTY DOLLARS” which completely encircle the coin. The words are separated by dots.
The reverse design has a similar format. The central design feature is an owl, perched on a pine bough complete with four pinecones and multiple sprigs of pine needles. The inscription “E PLURIBUS UNUM” is centered to the right of the owl with dots at the beginning and end (though none between the words). These central elements are surrounded by the same ring of beads used on the obverse. Outside this ring are the inscriptions “PANAMA-PACIFIC EXPOSITION” and “SAN FRANCISCO” in a single line of text circling the entire rim. Again the words are separated by dots.
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