From the Grading Room: NGC Certifies Complete 1915 Panama-Pacific Set with Original Mint Letters
Posted on 2/14/2025
By
Mike Johnson
NGC Grader
Numismatic Guaranty Company® (NGC®) is proud to announce the certification of a complete 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition coin set, including original matching letters and envelopes from the US Mint. These NGC-certified rarities represent a true treasure in American numismatics.
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The 1915 Panama-Pacific coin set was struck to commemorate the Panama-Pacific International Exposition held in San Francisco, which not only celebrated the completion of the Panama Canal but also gave its host city the opportunity to demonstrate its resurgence after a devastating earthquake and fires. This iconic set includes five coins of unparalleled artistry:
- a $50 Gold Octagonal Coin graded NGC MS 65
- a $50 Gold Round Coin graded NGC MS 64
- a Quarter Eagle graded NGC MS 66
- a Gold Dollar graded NGC MS 65
- a Silver Half Dollar graded NGC MS 64
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What sets this certification apart is the inclusion of the original US Mint-issued letters and envelopes accompanying the coins. These documents provide detailed insights into the coins’ historical significance and rarity. Certified alongside the coins, the letters and envelopes elevate the set’s importance, providing unmatched provenance and a window into early 20th century numismatic history.
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The $50 gold coins in this set are particularly noteworthy. The $50 Gold Octagonal Coin, with its unique shape and intricate design by Robert Aitken, is the only US coin of its kind. Its grade of NGC MS 65 is surpassed by a mere 13 examples in the NGC Census, as of early February 2025. Its companion, the $50 Gold Round Coin, shares the same artistic excellence in depicting the Roman goddess Minerva on the obverse and an owl perched on Ponderosa pines on the reverse.
These coins are among the largest and most valuable gold pieces ever issued by the US Mint. Due to their high cost, only 645 of the Octagonal and 483 of the Round were sold.
The original mint letters noting each coin as part of set #28 and envelopes add a level of rarity seldom seen in the market. Few sets have survived with these documents, which detail the coins’ production for the exposition and their role in commemorating this monumental event. The certification of this complete Panama-Pacific set underscores NGC’s dedication to accuracy, transparency and excellence in authentication and coin grading as well as its commitment to preserving numismatic history.
Numismatic Guaranty Company® (NGC®) is the world’s largest and most trusted third-party grading service for coins, tokens and medals. Since 1987, NGC has graded more than 65 million collectibles, each backed by the industry’s most comprehensive guarantee. Learn more at NGCcoin.com.
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