There are three things you should know about the three coins struck in 1915 at the San Francisco Mint (photos courtesy of Coin Page): 1. The 1915-S Panama-Pacific Exposition Silver Half Dollar was the first United States commemorative coin to bear the motto IN GOD WE TRUST. It's located on the reverse above the Eagle's head: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1915-S PANAMA-PACIFIC EXPOSITION HALF DOLLAR 2. The 1915-S Panama-Pacific Gold 2 1/2 Dollar does not bear the motto IN GOD WE TRUST, but does bear the motto E-PLURIBUS-UNUM on its reverse as a perch for the eagle. Another first for U.S.A. commemorative coinage: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1915-S GOLD PANAMA-PACIFIC 2 1/2 DOLLAR 3. The 1915-S Panama-Pacific Exposition Gold Dollar does not bear either of the two United States of America mottos. UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 1915-S PANAMA-PACIFIC GOLD DOLLAR If you are one of those knowlegible coin collectors who knows that the first commemorative coins struck by the U.S.A. Mint were the 1848 Quarter Eagles ($2 1/2) with CAL punched above the eagle on their reverses, let me assure you that, being dated 1848, they were struck a full 16 years before the motto was mandated and placed on the 1864 2 Cent coins: Here's 2 photos of an 1848 CAL Quarter Eagle showing both sides, courtesy of Flickr (public resource organization's Photostream): OBVERSE: 1893 ISABELLA QUARTER - OBVERSE REVERSE: 1893 ISABELLA QUARTER - REVERSE Even the 1900 Lafayette Commemorative Silver Dollar is void of either motto (Coin World photo). It's numismatic distinction is being the first One Dollar commemorative: 1900 LAFAYETTE SILVER DOLLAR Then, too, this 1903 Louisiana Purchase Exposition's Gold coin has the numismatic distinction of being the first souvenir gold coin, but, as you will see it doesn't bear any motto (photo courtesy Early Commemorative Coins): 1903 LOUISIANA PURCHASE GOLD SOUVENIR DOLLAR Nor do the 1904-1905 Lewis and Clark Exposition Gold Dollars (photo courtesy of Early Commemorative Gold Coins): 1904-1905 LEWIS AND CLARK EXPOSITION GOLD DOLLAR Thought might like to know... Clinker
Another interesting story, Clinker! Must admit that some of the coins you show here I have never seen. That Panama-Pacific Exposition Gold Dollar looks attractive to me due to the combination of the font and the worker's face. Do you have an image link to that "CAL Quarter Eagle" that you mentioned too? Just curious ... Christian
Hello Christian: Don't know how I omitted the link. Here it is: USA 1848 CAL GOLD QUARTER EAGLE Clinker
Thanks for adding the link! And no, I had no idea these were the first US commems, or coins with a commemorative "addition" ... Christian
