1915 Medal TC-279024 Copper Pan-Pac & Pan-Cal Expositions

Coin Details

Description

The 1915 TC-279024 copper medal commemorates both the Panama-Pacific and Panama-California Expositions, the twin world's fairs held simultaneously in San Francisco and San Diego to celebrate the opening of the Panama Canal. This dual-exposition medal is unusual in that it references both fairs on a single piece, acknowledging the cooperative spirit that theoretically united the two events even as they competed for visitors and attention. The copper composition gives this medal a warm reddish-brown appearance that develops an attractive natural patina over time. Cataloged as TC-279024 in the Token Catalog system, this piece is documented within the standardized reference framework that numismatists use to identify and classify the vast universe of American medals and tokens. The dual-exposition theme makes this a distinctive entry in the Panama-Pacific series, as most medals reference only one of the two fairs. The relationship between the Panama-Pacific and Panama-California Expositions was complicated. San Diego had originally planned its fair as a celebration of the Panama Canal's completion, but San Francisco's more powerful political and business interests secured the larger exposition designation, forcing San Diego to recast its event as a regional rather than international fair. Despite the rivalry, both expositions were successful — San Francisco attracted nearly nineteen million visitors, while San Diego's smaller but charming fair drew over two million and ultimately extended its run through 1917.

Rarity Notes

Dual-exposition medals referencing both the Panama-Pacific (San Francisco) and Panama-California (San Diego) fairs are uncommon. The TC-279024 catalog number identifies this specific type.

Cross References

PCGS #934283; TC-279024; Panama-Pacific International Exposition (San Francisco) & Panama-California Exposition (San Diego) 1915