1855 $50 Wass, Molitor & Co.

Weight

83.6 g

Diameter

50 mm

Thickness

NA

Material

Gold

Shape

Round

Edge Type

Reeded

Technique

Struck

Front design

Augustus Humbert, U.S. Assayer of Gold, seated left, holding a scroll and quill pen.

Back design

Eagle with shield on breast, holding an olive branch and three arrows, denomination and date.

Year of Minting

1855

Ruler

NA

Mint location

Philadelphia

Mint mark

NA

Orientation

Coin alignment

Inscriptions

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA | E PLURIBUS UNUM | 50 DOLLARS | WAS, MOLITOR & CO. | SAN FRANCISCO | CALIFORNIA GOLD

Context

: The 1855 Wass, Molitor & Co. $50 is the largest of the coins made by the firm, and it is generally considered to be the only $50 denomination issued by a private firm that actually circulated (those of other firms, such as Kellogg & Co. never circulated or were made for presentation purposes). This issue is quite scarce, especially in high grades. The PCGS CoinFacts Condition Census drops all the way down to AU-50 and includes only two examples in Mint State. The finest known example is the Gem Uncirculated coin from the Garrett Collection. When it reappeared at auction in 2003, it set a record price for the issue of $345,000; it would bring considerably more today. Many examples have rim dings, nicks, and bruises from circulation. Some show planchet cracking caused by improper cooling of the golden alloy. Many have been cleaned or otherwise impaired over the years. The ideal example will have a nice planchet, strong details, a minimum of marks, and original surfaces and color. Such a coin will be difficult to find.

Rarity

Rare

Coin type

California Gold (1849-1855)

In circulation

NA

Demonetized

No

Marketplace listings

0