Wednesday, March 8, 2006
(Santa Clara, CA) - The finest known set of 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition commemorative coins will return to the Bay area for the first time in 91 years and be exhibited during the Santa Clara Coin, Stamp & Collectibles Expo. The show will be held in the Santa Clara, California Convention Center, Thursday through Saturday, March 30 - April 1, 2006.
"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 coin 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
eBay, a co-sponsor of the Santa Clara Expo, will present two educational seminars, "Buying and Selling on eBay," conducted by eBay consultant, Troy Thoreson, at noon on both Friday and Saturday, March 31 and April 1.
More than 500 dealers will be buying and selling rare coins, bank notes, stamps and postcards, historical documents and other collectibles. The Cupertino Coin Club will display educational exhibits.
Superior Galleries of Beverly Hills, California will conduct the official auction during the show. A children's treasure hunt will be conducted between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., Saturday, April 1, and a gold coin door prize will be awarded each day.
Public hours are Thursday, March 30, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, March 31 and April 1, from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Admission is $6 (good for all three days); $3 for seniors (65 and up) and children 8 to 16; children 7 and under admitted free.
Free parking is available at the Santa Clara Convention Center, 5001 Great America Parkway.
For additional information, between March 29 - April 1, call (408) 748-7055.
Online: www.SantaClaraExpo.com
Media Contact:
Ronald J. Gillio, (805) 962-9939
Steven L. Contursi, (949) 488-9530