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PANAMA CANAL COMPLETION
1914
On Aug. 3, 1914 Panama Railroad Steamship Cristobal
completed first ocean-to-ocean passage through Canal and carried 50,000
of these medals, consecutively numbered, representing entire issue.
As early as 1517-1529, surveys had been made for canal
across Isthmus of Panama but Spaniards continued to sail 8,000 miles around
South America or to haul gold and cargos on stone highways across Isthmus.
Beginning 1880, two French ventures failed at cost of $300,000,000.
Following our purchase of French rights, rebellion and secession by Panama
from Colombia in 1903 and our intervention and guarantee of Panama's
independence, Canal Zone granted to U.S. in perpetuity; ratified 1904. Ten
years and $340,000,000 later, Canal was opened formally Aug. 15, 1914.
Panama Canal Treaty (Torrijos-Carter Treaty), signed Sept. 7, 1977,
"relinquishes American control over the canal by the year 2000 and
guarantees its neutrality." Canal fully transferred to the Republic of
Panama on Dec. 31, 1999.
Medal design suggested by Miss Elizabeth Rodman, cousin
of Capt. Hugh Rodman, U.S.N., Supt. of Transportation, Canal Zone; struck by
John F. Newman Co., New York. Disposition of issue, following passage
through Canal, is not known.
 
Obv. Involved design depicting boat passing
through Canal, full female figure standing on prow, long rays from head and
shoulders, arms outstretched; each hand rests on a world globe (eastern and
western hemispheres); on ribbon, across body, connecting globes Oceani
Inter Se Columbid Coniunguntur (translation: "Columbia unites the
oceans"); above on ribbons, at head of figure, to l. Prosperity,
to r. To All Nations; at lower r. edge, microscopic ©
J. F. N.
Rev. At top Seal of Canal Zone; around top
Commemorating the Opening, across of (Seal) The / Panama Canal
/ to the / Commerce of the World / smaller This Medal
Copyrighted and Bearing / A Serial number is one of 50000 Car /
-rried on the Vessel making the First / Passage Through the Panama
Canal / as Authenticated in Certificate / Signed by /
(signed) Geo. W. Goethals / Chief Engineer / and Chairman
/ lsthmian Canal Commission; below this is serial number (incuse) on
panel or ribbon; below around microscopic Copyrighted 1913 J. F. Newman
HK-398 Bronze. 38mm.
HK-398a Bronze. No number on reverse.
HK-398b Bronze. "Specimen" instead of number on
reverse.
HK-1029 Gold. Only 2 struck.
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