1915-S Panama-Pacific Exposition Half Dollar. MS-66 (NGC). CAC.

Superior Gem 1915-S Panama-Pacific Half Dollar From an Original Set Sold by Farran Zerbe in 1915 Later Handled by B. Max Mehl 1915-S Panama-Pacific Exposition Half Dollar. MS-66 (NGC). CAC. This wonderfully original coin exhibit a halo of powder blue peripheral toning around an otherwise silver-apricot obverse. The reverse is more boldly patinated in rich steel-blue and charcoal gray. As nice as one could hope for in an example of this key date classic commemorative. On April 8, 1906, an estimated magnitude 7.9 earthquake struck San Francisco in the early morning hours, causing widespread damage and igniting many devastating fires that ravaged the city. Over the next several years, the city rallied and its resurrection is one of the early twentieth century's great triumphs. To celebrate the city's recovery along with the opening of the Panama Canal, the Panama-Pacific International Exposition was held in 1915 to great fanfare. As part of the celebrations, the Mint was authorized by the Act of June 16, 1915, to issue a series of commemorative coins from the half dollar all the way up to two $50 gold pieces. The push to have these made was spearheaded by well-known numismatic promoter and ANA president Farran Zerbe. For the half dollar, Chief Engraver Charles Barber designed the obverse while his assistant George Morgan was tasked with creating the reverse. Up to 200,000 half dollars were authorized to be produced at the San Francisco Mint, but only 60,030 were actually coined, with 30 reserved for the annual assay. Ultimately, only 27,134 were sold at $1 apiece or 6 for $5, and the balance of 32,866 pieces were melted. Most examples are Mint State, though a few did see some brief time in circulation. Gem specimens are scarce and are eagerly sought, especially since the toning and surfaces can be of somewhat variable quality. Only a few can match the outstanding quality of the offered example. This half dollar is from an original five-piece set of Panama-Pacific Exposition commemorative silver and gold coins sold by Farran Zerbe on July 29, 1915. The buyer at that time was a Robert O. Fleming(?) of Oswego, Kansas, who ordered the coins from Zerbe on June 24, 1915, and acquired them in an original case. This set's next documented sale was on June 8, 1940, when it was sold by renowned Fort Worth, Texas coin dealer B. Max Mehl to a Mr. W.C. Mullendore of Los Angeles, California. By that time the original box had apparently been lost and was replaced by an original Shreve & Co. copper frame. While we have seen copies of the two sales receipts confirming these early sales for this set, neither is included with this lot. The original box and frame are also not included. The remaining four coins in this original set are also being offered in this sale, each individually. Provenance: Property from an Alabama Family. Earlier ex Farran Zerbe, July 29, 1915; Robert O. Fleming(?), Oswego, Kansas; B. Mex Mehl, June 8, 1940; Mr. W.C. Mullendore, Los Angeles, California. PCGS# 9357. NGC ID: BYHP. Click here for certification details from NGC.

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