Heritage World Coin Auctions
FUN Signature US Coin Sale 1251 4-6 & 8-9 Jan 2017
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Territorial Gold
1855 $10 Wass Molitor Ten Dollar XF40 PCGS. K-6, High R.5. Wass, Molitor & Co. was a well-respected assay firm established in San Francisco in 1851 by Hungarian refugees S.C. Wass and A. Molitor. The firm issued private coinage in 1852, but limited itself to assay services in the following two years. When the San Francisco Mint suspended coinage operations temporarily in 1855, local businessmen petitioned Wass, Molitor & Co. to strike coins again, to provide a much-needed medium of exchange for the regional economy. They responded with alacrity, producing coins of the ten, twenty, and fifty dollar denominations.
The present coin represents the rare K-6 variety of the ten dollar denomination. Listed as an R.7 issue in Don Kagin's series reference, the K-6 is more common today because a number of coins were recovered from the wreck of the S.S. Central America. All 1855 Wass Molitor tens display a "plug" around the final 5 in the date, a feature that suggests that this obverse die was modified from an 1852-dated die. This coin is colored in reddish-gold hues with a typical strike over the reverse and somewhat stronger definition in the center of the obverse. The scattered abrasions are not excessive for a circulated Territorial gold coin. Listed on page 400 of the 2017 Guide Book. Housed in a new 30th Anniversary green label holder. Population: 3 in 40, 27 finer (11/16).
1855 $10 Wass Molitor Ten Dollar XF40 PCGS. K-6, High R.5. Wass, Molitor & Co. was a well-respected assay firm established in San Francisco in 1851 by Hungarian refugees S.C. Wass and A. Molitor. The firm issued private coinage in 1852, but limited itself to assay services in the following two years. When the San Francisco Mint suspended coinage operations temporarily in 1855, local businessmen petitioned Wass, Molitor & Co. to strike coins again, to provide a much-needed medium of exchange for the regional economy. They responded with alacrity, producing coins of the ten, twenty, and fifty dollar denominations.
The present coin represents the rare K-6 variety of the ten dollar denomination. Listed as an R.7 issue in Don Kagin's series reference, the K-6 is more common today because a number of coins were recovered from the wreck of the S.S. Central America. All 1855 Wass Molitor tens display a "plug" around the final 5 in the date, a feature that suggests that this obverse die was modified from an 1852-dated die. This coin is colored in reddish-gold hues with a typical strike over the reverse and somewhat stronger definition in the center of the obverse. The scattered abrasions are not excessive for a circulated Territorial gold coin. Listed on page 400 of the 2017 Guide Book. Housed in a new 30th Anniversary green label holder. Population: 3 in 40, 27 finer (11/16).