1903 JEFFERSON G$1, LA PURCH-JEFFERSON PR67 Cameo

In 1903, a year marked by remarkable innovation and cultural evolution in the United States, several key events stood out for their lasting impact. Among these was the historic opening of the Williamsburg Bridge in New York City. When it was inaugurated, this architectural marvel claimed the title of the longest suspension bridge in the world. Spanning the East River, it connected the bustling boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn, symbolizing a new era of urban connectivity and architectural prowess. The bridge not only eased the daily commute of thousands but also became an iconic part of the New York City skyline, a testament to the ingenuity and ambition of the era. In the same year, the quiet town of Plattsburgh, New York, made its mark with the construction of its first ice palace, a centerpiece of its Winter Carnival. This event celebrated the joy and beauty of winter, bringing the community together through an array of winter sports and festivities. The ice palace, a structure built entirely from blocks of ice, became a yearly attraction, drawing visitors from near and far, and showcasing the creative spirit and communal harmony of small-town America. Meanwhile, in the realm of technology and entertainment, 1903 marked a significant milestone with the introduction of the first two-sided phonograph record by the Victor Talking Machine Company. This innovation revolutionized the music industry, doubling the amount of music that could be stored and played on a single record. It represented a leap forward in how people consumed music, making a variety of tunes more accessible to the American public and paving the way for the modern music industry. These events from 1903, spanning from the grandeur of urban architecture to the quaint charm of a winter festival, and the technological advancement in music, illustrate the diverse and dynamic nature of American society at the turn of the century, a period brimming with progress and creativity.

(1903-1926)

The gold Classic Commemorative series is a short, but challenging set. There are 13 different issues, but two—the Round and Octagonal Panama-Pacific fifty dollars—are rare and valuable. High grade examples of all early gold commemoratives are elusive and very desirable.

The first United States gold commemoratives were issued in 1903 for the Louisiana Purchase Exposition, held the following year. Two varieties were struck: one with a bust of Thomas Jefferson, president at the time of the Louisiana Purchase, the other with William McKinley, the president who approved the exposition. A mintage of up to 250,000 gold dollars was authorized, but at $3 a piece the number sold was far lower. Each issue had a final distribution of 17,500 examples, and in 1914 the remaining lot of 214,000 coins was melted.

Although the 1903 Louisiana Purchase Exposition coins were a mixed success, another commemorative gold dollar was issued in 1904 and 1905 for the Lewis and Clark Exposition held in Portland, Oregon. These coins had the same authorized mintage as the 1903 gold dollars, but the distribution was even lower—approximately 10,000 each for the 1904 and 1905.

Undoubtedly the most famous gold commemoratives are those issued for the 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition, which was held in San Francisco to celebrate the completion of the Panama Canal the previous year. Congress authorized a silver half dollar and four gold pieces: a one dollar, a quarter eagle, an octagonal fifty dollar, and a round fifty dollar. The two fifty dollar gold pieces are the largest coins ever issued by the United States and are highly prized today.

The next gold commemoratives were dollars issued in 1916 and 1917 to help pay for the McKinley Memorial in his birthplace of Niles, Ohio. Another gold dollar was issued in 1922 for the Grant Memorial. The final gold Classic Commemorative was struck in 1926—a quarter eagle to celebrate the sesquicentennial of the Declaration of Independence.

In all, 13 different gold commemoratives, including varieties, were issued as part of the Classic Commemorative series. Nine of these are gold dollars, two are quarter eagles, and two are fifty dollars. Distributions range from a low of 483 pieces (1915-S Round Fifty Dollar) to a high of 46,016 (1926 Sesquicentennial $2.50). While many of these, save for the two fifty dollars, can be easily collected in low grades, most are very rare in Gem and higher grades. The two fifty dollars are usually not collected because of price, and many collectors try to complete an 11 coin gold Classic Commemorative set. 

Coin Descriptions Provided by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC)