1915-S, USA. Scarce Gold $1 Dollar “Panama-Pacific Exposition” Coin
Mint Year: 1915 Mint Place: San Francisco (S) Denomination: Gold $1 (Dollar) Reference: Friedberg 101, KM-136. Material: Gold (.900) Diameter: 14mm Weight: 1.67gm
The United States Congress authorized the San Francisco Mint (also known as “The Granite Lady”) to issue a series of five commemorative coins. Said coins were the 1915-S silver Panama-Pacific half dollar and four gold coins. The denominations of the gold coins were $1, $2+1⁄2 (quarter eagle) and $50 (in two types: a round coin, and an unusual octagonal coin).
The Panama–Pacific International Exposition was a world’s fair held in San Francisco, California, United States, from February 20 to December 4, 1915. Its stated purpose was to celebrate the completion of the Panama Canal, but it was widely seen in the city as an opportunity to showcase its recovery from the 1906 earthquake. The fair was constructed on a 636 acre (1 sq. mi., 2.6 km2) site along the northern shore, between the Presidio and Fort Mason, now known as the Marina District.
Among the exhibits at the Exposition was the C. P. Huntington, the first steam locomotive purchased by Southern Pacific Railroad; the locomotive is now on static display at the California State Railroad Museum in Sacramento. A telephone line was also established to New York City so people across the continent could hear the Pacific Ocean. The Liberty Bell traveled by train on a nationwide tour from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to attend the exposition.
The 1915 American Grand Prize and Vanderbilt Cup auto races were held February 27 and March 6 on a 3.84-mile (6.18 km) circuit set up around the Exposition grounds. The Smithsonian Institution also had an exhibition at the Exposition.