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1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition
One of the most complex feats in navigational planning history - the Panama Canal - had just been completed when an exposition organized to celebrate the years of accomplishment in completing the canal project began in San Francisco, California. The exposition brought to California a number of exhibitions from all over the country and the world, but most importantly to the numismatic community, an array of commemorative coins - all designed in the art deco form of the era - which would eventually be considered some of the most beautiful and important coins in America's history.
The United States mint made a half dollar, gold dollar, gold two and a half dollar coin, and two different fifty dollar gold coins to sell at the exposition to collectors seeking a souvenir marking the occasion. The coins were well received, however, most found a $50 gold coin as a keepsake to be above budget, so not many coins were made or sold. Nevertheless, in today's numismatic community its odd shape and size and its beautiful design place it near the top of the list of artistic accomplishment in US Coin history.
Centennial Panama-Pacific Commemorative Design
This two-ounce .999 fine silver coin was minted on the authority of the government of Niue to represent the beauty of the coinage released during the 1915 Panama Pacific Exposition. Elements chosen from the original $50 gold coin design are used to showcase the exquisite beauty of the design while commemorating both of the initial issues in one single issue. The pure gold gilt sections of this two-ounce silver coin outline the area collectors could expect to see in the round coin design from 100 years ago, while the overall shape of the coin and the silver parts of the design combined with the gold ring commemorate the uniquely odd octagonal shaped coin issued during the festive event.
Unique commemorative to a unique coin design
This coin was designed by MCM staff artist Charles D. Daughtrey to commemorate what he believes to be one of the most important coins in U.S. commemorative history. To pay tribute to the beauty of the design, original elements of the 1915 design were carefully incorporated into a modern coin giving the viewer a unique passage to the past. Mintage of this exquisite commemorative coin is only 1,915 pieces - to reflect the year of issue of the original coin design.