| Description: |
A lovely specimen in bright yellow gold, lustrous, of what may well be the most
distinctive of all American commemoratives, and without question among the rarest. Farran
Zerbe, Past President of the American Numismatic Association and an enthusiastic promoter
and entrepreneur, had charge of the commemorative concession for the exposition. His hopes
ran high, and 1,500 pieces were struck of each of the octagonal and round formats of the
$50 gold coin. Offered at $100 each, the octagonal variety, as here, out pulled the round,
because of its distinctive shape, reminiscent of "the days of old, the days of gold,
the days of '49." However, only 645 were saved from the melting pot, a tiny figure in
comparison to the fantastic demand for such pieces today. |
