Description: Title: 1915 San Francisco Panama-Pacific International Exposition (PPIE) Medal, Silver (HK-399) AR Description: The U.S. Mint produced Official Medals for the 1915 PPIE in Silver and Bronze* (*different appearances). The $1000 award winning medal, medallic sculpted by Robert Ingersoll Aitken (1879-1949), was struck at the U.S. Mint exhibit on the expo grounds celebrating the completion of the Panama Canal. These medals were sold by Farran Zerbe, Chief of the Coin and Medal Department at the Exposition, responsible for all sales of commemorative coins and medals. The round design of the medal is very beautiful with the obverse showing a winged Mercury opening the locks of the Panama Canal with the vessel Argo passing through with the words “On! Sail On!” below the image and signed at lower right 'AITKEN FECIT'; Fecit comes from the Latin verb "to make," which Aitken used frequently on his work. Smooth edge with a reverse that shows two female figures, which represent the Eastern and Western Hemispheres, holding hands and holding a cornucopia around the Earth while a seagull flies below. This is a silver example of the 1915 PPIE Official Medal listed as HK-399 in the Hibler-Kappen book on So-Called Dollars. Condition: Ungraded. Condition remarks: The following comments are my layman observations/"opinion." "Assess your own opinion of medal; ITEM SOLD AS-IS CONDITION." Despite a past speculated cleaning, hairline marks are noticeable on the high points of the design when tilted at specific angles (see images), the medal has really nice overall eye appeal. The medal is mostly untoned with light toning in protected areas and has nice subtle luster. The eye appeal of the piece is somewhat above average from what I have comparatively seen of other examples. Included: comes in a 2x2in. transparent plastic safety sleeve. Dimensions: 38mm diameter.Weight: 32 grams. Note: The Hibler-Kappen book on So-Called Dollars mentions that the Official Medal was produced in three metals; Silver (HK-399), Bronze (HK-400) and Gilt (HK-401). The medal is also included in Jaeger and Bowers reference book 100 Greatest Medals and Tokens. Further, the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition Medals were the subject of an August 2012 article in The Numismatist which explained the various metal compositions used in making the various types of medals. The article also indicated that approximately 2,620 medals were minted in silver, representing roughly 5% the total mintage of 45,494 PPIE medals struck in all metal compositions; Silver 100-200 known, Bronze 500 to 800, Gilt Bronze 300 to 500 known. If you have been looking for an attractive example of this beautiful and somewhat rare medal, do not let this opportunity pass.
Price: 1795 USD
Location: Crockett, California
End Time: 2024-08-15T05:17:29.000Z
Shipping Cost: N/A USD
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Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Buyer
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
