What kind of different frames are known to have been made for the 1915 Pan-Pac coins?

Dennis88

I know there is a full frame with all denominations including both $50 gold pieces. But I also recall seeing other frames. Does anyone know what kind of different frames were sold and how these could be obtained? For example, is there a frame made for the half dollar only?

Obviously, I am talking about the purple frames which I think originated at the Panama-Pacific Exposition.

Dennis

Kove

These coins were issued in a number of different holders.

If you only bought one coin of a smaller denomination (50c, G$1, G$2.5), it usually came in a paper envelope. Breen/Swiatek has photos of these.

The set boxes I've seen have cases for three coins (50c, $1, $2.5), four coins, five coins, and the full double-coin frame with glass holding 10 coins. It's surprising how many different purple velvet cases they issued. Edited to add that I think all the $50 coins were also available in a single 1-coin case.


Search the Heritage archives for "panama-pacific box" and you'll get lots of photos and prices.

Dennis88

Very interesting, thanks. So does anyone here actually owns one of the original frames? Would love to see them. I would have to say that it would make a very interesting display on an office wall (I can dream, can't I?).

Dennis

Mitchell

There are two types of frames:

1. Double set copper frame for holding two full sets and spaces for the round and octagonal $50
This frame is very rare. I've seen 2.

2. Single set copper frame for holding one full set including a round and octagonal
This frame is the most commonly seen frame. If you're up for a challenge, try to find the cardboard box that the frame came in AND the original invoice.

PanPac Frame

The frames are pretty cool and have been a good collectible item. The hammered copper is executed in the art-deco style and was made in San Francisco by Shreve and Company, a company that is still in business.

There are also a number of boxes that will hold any combination of coins since they could be bought individually at the exposition.

As someone else pointed out, the most commonly seen PanPac holder are the printed envelopes.

BillJones

I'd love to buy one the velvet lined boxes with original paper still in it. Heritage had one in one of their auctions a couple of years ago. Last fall they had one that had no paper and was warped. I bid on it and lost by a few dollars out of $500 bid. I never saw it, and fact that it was warped slowed down my bidding.

I've not seen one of the regular copper frames offered in a long time. It's my understanding they are not hot as they used to because most of the nice coins are now in slabs.

At the last summer FUN show Heritage had a three coin (half dollar, gold dollar and quarter eagle) leatherette box and coins for sale. The half dollar was a polished and in a no grade holder. The gold dollar was a nice MS-66, and the quarter eagle was a so-so MS-64. I got them down to $8,700 and passed because only things I could have used were the gold dollar as an upgrade and the box.

A dealer told me that they had another three piece set that had three really primo coins in PCGS green label holders and nice box. I heard it sold for around $14,000. THAT set would have grabbed my attention, but it was never offered to me.

CommemDude

I would agree, probably no original copper frames, with coins, in their boxes, with paper work, still exist, as all coins have been certified or sold off.

There is the 5 coin box, not hard to find but I have not seen one with coins:









The 3 coin box is more common, and there are many fake boxes out there so be careful. This box has the original coins of issue, a blue green MS63 half with two MS 64 gold pieces that have lost luster sitting in the box for many decades:

illini420

The Swaitek/Breen book says there are about 30 known sets in copper frames (not all have the original coins of course as some frames were likely bought individually and later had the coins added). The book also says that 4 of the double sets are known. See page 208. There's also an image of the double set copper frame on page 205, very cool!

I also looked at the NGC link provided by Mitchell and the information seems incorrect. NGC certified that set as being set no. 6 of 24... where did they get that info??? Based on the letter/invoice imaged, the letter references "6/24" but that is pretty clearly the date the Pan-Pac folks received the order, not that it is set 6 or 24. Looks like they received the order on 6/24 and shipped it out on or about 7/29/15 (per the date of the letter/invoice). It doesn't make sense for that letter to have the total no. of sets as they were still selling them at the time... how would they know at the time only 24 sets would be put together and sold???? Looks like NGC probably screwed up there unless they had some other compelling evidence to slab these as set no. 6 of 24.