How to Identify the Panama-Pacific Gold Dollar Commemorative
A 1915-S gold dollar honoring the Panama-Pacific Exposition, showing a canal workman's head on the obverse and two dolphins circling the denomination on the reverse.
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What It Is
The Panama-Pacific Gold Dollar Commemorative is a 1915-S gold dollar issued for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, designed by Charles Barber, and one of the more affordable coins in the Panama-Pacific commemorative set.
Obverse Design
The head of a workman, often described as representing a Panama Canal laborer, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and facing left, with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA around the border.
Reverse Design
Two dolphins encircle the denomination ONE DOLLAR and the date 1915, symbolizing the joining of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through the Panama Canal.
Size, Weight, Metal & Edge
Standard gold dollar specifications: about 15mm diameter, 1.672 grams, .900 fine gold, reeded edge.
Mint Marks
An S mintmark for San Francisco, the exclusive mint of issue for this commemorative.
Telling It Apart From Similar Coins
Distinguish it from a regular Type 3 Indian Princess Head gold dollar (1856-1889) by the workman's-cap portrait rather than a feathered Native American headdress, and by the distinctive dolphin reverse rather than a wreath.
Judging Condition at a Glance
Examine the high points of the workman's cheek and hat brim, and the dolphins' heads and fins, for wear or handling marks. Because of its small size and areas of higher relief, a weak strike on the highest points is common even on well-preserved examples and should not automatically be mistaken for wear.
Authenticity Red Flags
Given its small size and higher value relative to common-date gold dollars, verify the correct dolphin reverse design and the S mintmark. A coin of this date without the dolphin reverse, or with mismatched weight or diameter, is not genuine.
Frequently asked questions
What image is on the reverse of this coin?
Two dolphins encircling the ONE DOLLAR denomination and the date 1915, symbolizing the linking of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans by the Panama Canal.
Who is depicted on the obverse?
The head of a workman, generally described as representing a Panama Canal laborer, wearing a wide-brimmed hat.
How does this differ from a regular Indian Princess Head gold dollar?
The regular type shows a Native American feathered headdress and a wreath reverse; this commemorative shows a workman's cap and a dolphin reverse.
Where was it struck?
Exclusively at the San Francisco Mint, marked with an S mintmark.