1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition 3pc Mint State Gold Set PCGS

The year 1909 saw the Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition (AYPE) take place in Seattle, Washington, from June 1 to October 16. In essence, it was a follow-up to the 1905 Lewis and Clark Exposition in Portland, Oregon. The impetus for this Expo came from a group of Alaskan gold rush pioneers in 1905. Seattle businessmen planned the event to take place in 1909, so it would not conflict with the Jamestown tricentennial celebration of 1907. The AYPE followed the American tradition established in 1876 when Philadelphia held its Centennial Expo.

The Alaska Yukon Pacific Exposition of 1909 in Seattle, Washington, with a dramatic view of Mount Rainier.

1909 ¼ DWT X-Tn3 AK Yukon Pac Expo Gold PCGS MS63

The obverse presents a miner with hand in pocket and pick over his shoulder. Above him is ALASKA GOLD. On the ground behind him is a shovel. To his left is ‘19’ and to his right is’ 09.’ A.Y.P.E. is below. Six stars are found on the obverse. The reverse has a wreath, within which is (from top to bottom) 1/4, a shield, and DWT. PCGS has graded 7 as MS63 with 12 finer.

1909 ½ DWT X-Tn1 AK Yukon Pac Expo Gold PCGS MS63

Similar to the ¼ DWT, the ½ DWT displays a miner with a pick thrown over his shoulder and a shovel behind him in the dirt. ALASKA GOLD is above him, while the year 1909 is split to the left and right of him. Three stars on each side decorate the obverse around the miner with A.Y.P.E. found below. The reverse’s wreath contains within ½, a shield, and DWT. PCGS has graded 14 as MS63 with just 6 finer.

1909 1 DWT HK-360 AK Yukon Pac Expo Gold PCGS MS62

The 1 DWT portray the Alaskan gold miner with pick over the shoulder and shovel tossed behind him in the dirt. Above the miner is ALASKA GOLD and the year 1909 is found split on both sides of him in the field. Three stars are to his left and three to his right. A.Y.P.E. is below at the rim. Within the reverse wreath is found 1, a shield, and DWT. PCGS has graded 6 as MS62 with 17 finer.