(Santa Clara, CA) – The finest known set of 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition commemorative coins will be exhibited during the first three days of the April Santa Clara Coin, Stamp & Collectibles Expo. The show will be held in the Santa Clara, California Convention Center, Thursday through Sunday, April 10 – 13, 2008.
“This outstanding exhibit showcases five superb condition gold and silver coins, registered by Pan-Pac officials as the sixth of 24 original complete sets made at the time,” said Ronald J. Gillio, Expo General Chairman.
Originally sold for $200 in 1915 and now valued at $700,000, the historic Pan-Pac set will be displayed courtesy of Steven L. Contursi, President of Rare Coin Wholesalers, Dana Point, California
The display also includes:
• the original copper and glass frame and original box that housed the coins when they were sold;
• a $200 invoice to a buyer in Kansas dated July 29, 1915 signed by Farran Zerbe, Chief of the Coin and Medal Department for the Panama-Pacific International Exposition, indicating this is set number 6 out of 24;
• the June 8, 1940 signed letter and $575 invoice from legendary Texas dealer, B. Max Mehl, who re-sold the set to a Los Angeles buyer;
• and an original booklet from the famous Exposition that was held in San Francisco from February 20 through December 4, 1915.
The coins in the Pan-Pac set in the exhibit are certified by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation as follows:
1915-S silver half dollar, NGC MS-66
1915-S gold $1, NGC MS-67
1915-S gold $2.5, NGC MS-67
1915-S gold $50 octagonal, NGC MS-65
1915-S gold $50 round, NGC MS-67
More than 500 dealers will be buying and selling rare coins, paper money, stamps, vintage postcards, historical documents and other collectibles during the show. The Cupertino Coin Club will display exhibits, and there will be educational seminars on hobby topics.
Superior Galleries of Beverly Hills will conduct the official auction during the Santa Clara Expo. A children’s treasure hunt will be conducted between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, and a gold coin door prize will be awarded each day.
Public hours are Thursday, April 10, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, April 11 and 12, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, April 13, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is $6 (good for all three days); $3 for seniors (65 and up), anyone with a valid coin or stamp club membership card, and children 8 to 16; children 7 and under are admitted free.
Coupons good for a $3 discount on admission are available online at www.SantaClaraExpo.
Free parking is available at the Santa Clara Convention Center.
For additional information, contact the Santa Clara Coin, Stamp & Collectibles Expo at (805) 962-9939 or online at www.SantaClaraExpo.com.
