1915 Gold Dollar Pattern - J-A1915-2, PAN PACIFIC

Coin Details

Description

The second gold dollar pattern from the 1915 Panama-Pacific commemorative series, also cataloged as an appendix entry in the Judd reference. This variant presents a different design approach from J-A1915-1, exploring alternative obverse or reverse treatments for the commemorative gold dollar denomination. The Panama-Pacific gold dollar holds a distinctive place in American numismatic history as the first commemorative gold dollar issued by the United States, and the design selection process generated considerable interest from artists, Mint officials, and the Commission of Fine Arts. Charles Keck's adopted design was selected from a competitive process, and pattern pieces like J-A1915-2 document the alternative concepts that were considered and ultimately rejected. The exposition itself was an extraordinary cultural event, spanning 635 acres along San Francisco's northern waterfront and attracting nearly 19 million visitors over its ten-month run. The commemorative coins served both as souvenirs and as vehicles for artistic expression, and the Mint took the design process seriously, commissioning multiple artists and evaluating numerous proposals before finalizing the production designs. As an appendix entry, J-A1915-2 came to light after the initial cataloging of Pan-Pacific patterns and may represent a design variant or alternative composition that was not initially recognized as a distinct variety.

Rarity Notes

R-8 (Extremely Rare). Appendix-numbered Pan-Pacific patterns are among the rarest, with very few specimens documented.

Cross References

Judd J-A1915-2