Do you think this toning is ugly? I kind of find it interesting because to me it shows to coin is most likely original. When they were sold as a set with other coins at the expo I believe they were in a display of some sort made out of felt or something like that, so maybe that's why most of these coins have that ring around the edge and alot of them have unattractive black toning from sitting in that felt for so long. ALOT of them have been cleaned/dipped and you can still see the ring on a great number of these coins. I am kind of on the fence with the look of it, part of me likes it and part of me doesnt. I woud love to hear what you think!!!!!!????? If anybody has any more information on these panama pacific commemorative half dollars I would like to know more about them! The two marks on the shield are scratches on the holder.
I think it’s a Beautiful coin. Have not read about it but I do know there are different tones. Someone else may comment on their thoughts that knows a bit more than I do.The ring around the edge is probably from it going through machines, wear and tear.
I agree that it is a very attractive coin. It is a nice, well struck example. The toning is definitely not an asset. It does not detract from the eye appeal of the coin, but certainly is not an asset.
To me, the 1915 Pan-Pac fifty cent commem is among the most beautiful of all the classic commemorative issues. The obverse was designed by Charles E. Barber and the reverse was designed by George T. Morgan. The issue was the first commemorative half dollar to be struck at a branch mint (San Francisco) on June 29, 1915. The original price for one was $1, but it was not a sellout and 32,866 pieces were melted out of the original 60,000 pieces issued. Not too shabby on OP's piece.......I find it quite attractive as I only possess an ungraded 'messed with' example.
Hello PamR, thanks for the comment! The ring is on so many of these coins, even on high mint state grade examples. I honestly dont believe it is from wear or machines. I don't know for sure what causes this ring but so many of these pan pacs have them. I suspect it could be the material and design from the original display/packaging and it developed from long term storage in them
To me the toning is not ugly. BUT It's a type of toning I don't care for. I'm old school. I like blast white.
That is a very example of the Pan-PAC half dollar. This coin is almost never seen with original bright white surfaces. They are almost all toned. Almost all of the white ones have been dipped or cleaned. The reason is the various types of packaging that were used to house the coins when they were sold. Single pieces came in an envelope which was not sulfur free. The multiple coin sets came in velvet lined boxes. Years ago Heritage was offering a three piece set, with the box of issue at a Summer FUN show. It contained the half dollar, gold dollar and the quarter eagle. All of the coins were NGC certified. The gold coins were nice, with the gold dollar especially nice in an MS-67 holder. The half dollar was a mess. It had been cleaned with an abrasive and was in a details holder. Most likely this was an original set which contained coins that had been stored in the box for years.
I like it. It's nice even toning and sustains the nice (imo) soft golden hue toning that pops. Plus, it reinforces and emphasizes the totally original surface luster.
Here is one of the boxes. The famous one is the copper frame which is a collectors item in its own right. This also a collectors' item.
There was also a small box for the three piece set. I don’t have one of those. It was velvet lined in blue or purple. I forget which it is.
Awesome coin ksparrow. I didn't mean to break the grammar laws. Or wait... maybe I should say it in a more proper, sophisticated way: I hereby offer my sincere apology to ZoidMeister for violating the sacred stipulations of grammar and punctuation sanctioned in this cointalk forum.