(SOLD March, 2019) Gold Award Medal from the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition at San Francisco. Gem Uncirculated, certified NGC MS-65, with Photo Vision. A stunning no-doubt Gem with deep buttery yellow-gold surfaces, set off by some slight bronze colored toning that has developed around the devices.  All such medals were struck in Bronze and Gold-plated at the option and cost of the recipient.  As a result, the quality of plating varies widely based upon the firm doing the work, and the cost the medal owner was willing to bear.  Thin air - there is one single MS-66 certified by NGC plus two at PCGS, then this example.  At least one of the 66's is closely held in a long time collection per personal communication with the owner; it is likely the other two are as well.  The precise number of Gold Medals originally awarded was not immediately available to me, however the total for all classes at the Expo was just over 20,000.  These are not available very often, and even when offered are commonly quality-challenged. The Heritage Archive shows 2 to 4 (finish on a couple was not explicitly stated) in the last Decade, none of them Gem.  Based upon that and the general rate of appearance of properly attributed Gold Awards, I would say the odds of finding another opportunity to purchase a fully Gem BU example would be maybe once in the next 5 -10 years.  For the advanced PPIE cabinet, while the price may seem a bit steep, remember the old adage "quality remains when price is long forgotten".  Interested parties are free to contact me to discuss the matter, however I am in no rush to let this item go.