PCGS AU50
PCGS VF30
- PCGS #:
- 10339
- Designer:
- N/A
- Edge:
- N/A
- Diameter:
- N/A
- Weight:
- N/A
- Mintage:
- N/A
- Mint:
- Philadelphia
- Metal:
- Gold
- Auction Record:
- $180,000 • MS60 • 01-16-2022 • Heritage Auctions
Major Varieties
- 1852 $5 Wass, Molitor & Co., Small Head
Condition Census What Is This?
|
#1 MS60 PCGS grade
Kagin plate coin Haig Koshkarian Collection - American Numismatic Rarities 3/2004:1092, $39,100 - Riverboat Collection - Heritage 4/2014:5441, $82,250 |
| #2 AU58 PCGS grade |
#3 AU55 PCGS grade
|
| #4 AU53 PCGS grade |
| #4 AU53 estimated grade |
|
#6 AU50 PCGS grade
Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. Collection - Bowers & Merena 5/1996:356, $5,720 - Klamath Mountain Collection - Heritage 1/2014:5632, $35,250 - Heritage 9/2014:3562, $35,250 - Kagin's 3/2017:1681, $27,025 |
| #6 AU50 PCGS grade |
| #6 AU50 PCGS grade |
|
#9 AU50 estimated grade
Heritage 8/2006:5786, $28,750 |
| #9 XF45 PCGS grade |
In 1852, the firm of Wass, Molitor & Co. began striking gold coins in denominations of $5 and $10; in 1855, they added $20 and $50 coins to the mix. According to Pioneer Gold specialist, Don Kagin, the Was, Molitor coins "...had the highest intrinsic value of any of the private coiners..." This was a dangerous path to tread because if the coins exceeded their face value, they were subject to being melted down. This may account for the rarity of these pieces today.
The 1852 Wass, Molitor $5's come in two varieties: Small Head and Large Head. Both types appear to be of similar rarity, and both are difficulat to find in high grade, primarily because of the poor quality control in the Wass, Molitor operation. The best example appears to be the PCGS MS60 from the Riverboat Collection that sold in April 2014 for $82,250.