1915-S Pan-Pac G$1 (1915 Panama Pacific Gold $1.00) PCGS MS66. This superb, gold commemorative dollar has excellent surfaces, a full strike, and outstanding luster. (A scuff mark on the reverse is on the holder not the coin.) Although it is often found on this issue, no friction is seen on the high point of either side, as expected for a coin of this grade.

The coin was designed by Charles Keck as part of a set of coins that commemorated the opening of the Panama Canal and the rebirth of San Francisco after the earthquake and fire of 1906. The obverse depicts a close-up portrait of a typical laborer who helped to build the canal in profile facing left.

The reverse motif is two dolphins around the denomination. The dolphins signify the linking of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans by the canal. Although 25,000 coins were authorized, 15,000 were distributed, the rest being melted at the Mint in San Francisco. The coins were issued in envelopes that are quite rare today. They were also issued as part of various combinations of coins in sets.

The original price of the gold dollar was $2.00 or six for $10.00. Since counterfeits of this issue are common, only certified coins should be considered. (All USRCI coins are certified by one of the major grading services.)