1915 Medal Panama-Pacific Expo 72mm CA Souvenir Penny

Coin Details

Description

The 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition 72mm California souvenir penny is a large-format bronze commemorative from the world's fair in San Francisco. At 72mm — nearly three inches in diameter — this is among the largest of the "souvenir penny" pieces produced for the exposition, offering a commanding presence that goes well beyond the modest 38mm pieces typically associated with the souvenir penny designation. The term "souvenir penny" was applied broadly to exposition medals regardless of their actual size, reflecting their function as keepsake purchases rather than their physical dimensions. The 72mm format provides extensive surface area for detailed artistic treatment of exposition themes. The California imagery on these pieces typically celebrated the state's natural abundance, its Mediterranean climate, and its position as the western terminus of the transcontinental railroad — all themes that the exposition was designed to promote to potential settlers, investors, and tourists. The Panama-Pacific International Exposition was fundamentally a civic marketing exercise for San Francisco and the state of California, and its souvenir medals served as portable advertisements that visitors carried home to their communities across the country and around the world. The 72mm souvenir penny, with its impressive size and detailed artistry, was an especially effective ambassador for California's aspirations, providing a tangible and visually striking memento of the fair experience.

Rarity Notes

The 72mm format is among the largest in the Panama-Pacific souvenir series. Large-format pieces were produced in smaller quantities than standard 38mm souvenirs. The size makes these pieces impressive display items.

Cross References

PCGS #917888; Panama-Pacific International Exposition, San Francisco 1915