Pan-Pac Round Tribute – 2 oz Fine Gold

The helmeted Minerva and watchful owl of the 1915 Panama-Pacific gold coin return in this Intaglio Mint tribute. Struck in two troy ounces of .9999 fine gold, the 39mm round brings the classical imagery of Robert Aitken’s commemorative design into a modern precious-metal format. Its circular shape recalls the round version of the historic $50 issue.

A World’s Fair and a New Ocean Route

San Francisco hosted the Panama-Pacific International Exposition in 1915 to celebrate the completion of the Panama Canal. The new waterway linked the Atlantic and Pacific, and the exposition marked that achievement with architecture, exhibits and commemorative art. The United States Mint issued special coins for the occasion, with proceeds helping to offset the fair’s costs.

Among those commemoratives were round and octagonal $50 gold pieces designed by Robert Aitken. Minerva, associated with wisdom and skilled pursuits, appears on the obverse; her sacred owl supplies a matching emblem of wisdom on the reverse. The paired subjects gave a celebration of engineering and commerce a distinctly classical character.

This contemporary tribute preserves that visual connection while identifying its own two-troy-ounce weight and .9999 gold purity. It is an Intaglio Mint gold round inspired by the historic coin, not an original 1915 United States Mint $50 issue.

Obverse Design

Minerva faces left beneath a tall crested helmet, with “IN GOD WE TRUST” above her profile. The Roman-numeral date MCMXV recalls 1915. “UNITED STATES OF AMERICA” arcs across the upper border, while “TWO TROY OUNCES” identifies the tribute’s weight below. A beaded inner border frames the central portrait.

Reverse Design

An owl perches among pine needles and cones, surrounded by “PANAMA PACIFIC EXPOSITION” and “SAN FRANCISCO.” The motto “E PLURIBUS UNUM” appears beside the owl, with the modern purity inscription “.9999 FINE AU” below it. The detailed feathers, pine cones and circular border echo the natural and classical elements of the original design.

Specifications

• Weight: 2.00 troy ounces
• Thickness: 3.10mm
• Purity: .9999 fine gold
• Edge: Reeded
• Diameter: 39mm
• Finish: Brilliant Uncirculated

Explore more designs in our gold collection.