Lot 2063
1855 Wass, Molitor & Co. (San Francisco) $50 Gold. Our grade is Sharpness of XF however cleaned and lightly polished. A popular gold coin. The Wass Molitor coinage was known for its high intrinsic value, but the production qualities were somewhat off as far as strike and die maintenance are concerned. Struck in large numbers, though extensively melted, the Wass, Molitor fifty dollar pieces are scarce but not rare. Examples only appear for sale infrequently in auctions. Wass, Molitor and Kellogg & Co. were the final private gold issuers in California, once the San Francisco Mint got its operations into full gear by 1855. After producing a modest quantity of pieces, the Molitor firm closed its operation. The following year found Wass seeking employment while Molitor moved to London.
Most of these $50 coins were melted. They were reminted into official federal gold coinage at San Francisco and elsewhere, although a few survived and now a few score examples are believed to exist. This Choice AU example is a pleasing green-gold representative of the design. The polishing has left much of the word DOLLARS and part of the 0 in 50 weak or missing. It appears that the surfaces, which are a tad too bright, may have been lightly cleaned, per the grading description (PCGS # 10363) .
Estimated Value $12,000 - 15,000.
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| Realized $24,725 |
