1915-S $2.50 Panama Pacific Gold Commemorative CACG MS65

The 1915-S $2.50 Panama Pacific Gold Commemorative stands as one of the most coveted pieces in the classic U.S. commemorative coin series. Struck in San Francisco for the Panama Pacific International Exposition, this gold quarter eagle honors the opening of the Panama Canal, a feat that transformed global trade and showcased American engineering achievement. Certified CACG MS65 with CAC approval, this example combines numismatic rarity, remarkable preservation, and enduring historical appeal.

The Panama Pacific International Exposition, held in San Francisco in 1915, celebrated the completion of the Panama Canal as well as the city’s recovery from the devastating 1906 earthquake. The exposition became a national event, drawing attention from around the world. To mark the occasion, the U.S. Mint struck a small series of commemorative coins in gold and silver, including this quarter eagle. The design was the work of Charles E. Barber and George T. Morgan, two of the most prominent engravers in American coinage history.

The obverse features a classical allegorical portrait of Liberty wearing a winged cap, symbolizing freedom of thought and progress. Her profile is elegant and commanding, framed by the inscriptions "United States of America" and "Two and 1/2 Dollars." The reverse presents a majestic depiction of an American eagle perched atop a shield, wings slightly spread, with the legend "Panama-Pacific Exposition" and the date 1915 below. Both sides display balanced symmetry and refined detail, perfectly suited to a commemorative of this magnitude.

This coin’s mintage of just 27,135 pieces was modest even by commemorative standards. Many were purchased as souvenirs during the exposition, but a significant number were eventually melted when sales lagged. As a result, surviving examples in Gem Mint State are far scarcer than the original mintage might suggest. Today, the coin is considered one of the key gold issues of the commemorative series, with high-grade specimens tightly held in advanced collections.

The present CACG MS65 example offers exceptional eye appeal, with lustrous, vibrant gold surfaces that attest to careful preservation over more than a century. The strike is sharp, with full design detail visible in Liberty’s features and the eagle’s feathers. Fields are clean for the grade, showing only minimal contact marks that are well within the expectations for a Gem. The CAC sticker affirms that this coin meets the highest standards for quality within its grade, adding further desirability and collector confidence.

In addition to its beauty and rarity, the 1915-S $2.50 Panama Pacific Gold Commemorative holds a unique place in U.S. coinage as part of one of the most diverse and artistically accomplished commemorative programs of the early 20th century. Alongside the larger $50 gold pieces and the $1 gold commemorative, this quarter eagle forms part of a historically significant set that appeals to both type collectors and commemorative specialists.

For the serious numismatist, acquiring a Gem example such as this offers not only a tangible link to a pivotal moment in American history but also a sound long-term addition to a high-quality collection. Its low mintage, historical importance, and visual beauty make it an enduring prize. This 1915-S $2.50 Panama Pacific Gold Commemorative CACG MS65 is a combination of artistry, history, and scarcity that will continue to shine in any advanced gold coin cabinet.