Panama-Pacific Exposition Commemorative Series

United States · 1913 · 1c, 2c, 5c, 10c

This commemorative series celebrates the 1915 Panama-Pacific International Exposition held in San Francisco. The set features four denominations: the 1c green depicts explorer Vasco Núñez de Balboa, the 2c carmine shows the Pedro Miguel Locks of the Panama Canal, the 5c blue illustrates the Golden Gate, and the 10c orange portrays the discovery of San Francisco Bay. The designs highlight themes of exploration, engineering, and American expansion.

Issued to promote the exposition celebrating the completion of the Panama Canal and the 400th anniversary of Balboa's discovery of the Pacific Ocean, these stamps were the first U.S. commemoratives printed by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing on the new rotary press.