Lot 4893
1855 Wass, Molitor & Co. (San Francisco) $50 Gold. NGC graded AU-53. Untoned with the normal amount of light ot moderate bag marks. Upon arriving in California the partners of this firm operated a private mint and assay office that struck $10, $20, and $50 gold pieces. The $50 pieces follow closely the theme on the Federal $20 gold Liberty coins of the day; as a $50 denomination in a time of dire need for a circulating medium, the coins were acceptable to the populace. As the only round $50 gold pieces issued in California, they found acceptance elsewhere and circulated in other regions of the Western United States. Evidently, their round shape (and the availability of lower denominations from the same firm) made them as acceptable as the $50 slugs of Humbert and the U. S. Assay Office. The Alta California reported that $38,000 of these fifties and twenties were produced in a day.
This nicely balanced AU53 example shows clear striking details on the date and stars plus the legends of the reverse. There is a little luster left, and smooth and mostly mark-free look covering the entire surface including Liberty's cheek contour. We do note a few nicks in the field before the face. Liberty herself proudly displays full sharp hair and a nicely curved, if slightly rounded coronet edge. The reverse has typical, but again small, circulation abrasion from the time it spent as a method of payment. Unlike other $50 gold coins by Wass, Molitor, this piece lacks heavy cuts on the rims. The reverse takes over from where the obverse left off in being not only sharp throughout (including the wreath) but also, attractive enough that bidders will want to own it in a heartbeat! The coin is housed in NGC holder 1921836-005 and will likely prove to be one of the Star Attractions in its new home. Pop 3; 14 finer. (PCGS # 10363) .
Estimated Value $70,000 - 80,000.
|
| |
| Unsold |
