LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 May/June Long Beach, CA Sig. US Coin #438  / 

2840

1855 $10 Wass Molitor Ten Dollar AU55 PCGS. Ex: S.S. C

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / US Coins Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:1.00 - 1,000,000.00 USD
1855 $10 Wass Molitor Ten Dollar AU55 PCGS. Ex: S.S. C
<B>1855 $10 Wass Molitor Ten Dollar AU55 PCGS.</B></I> Ex: <I>S.S. Central America.</B></I> SSCA 7278. K-6, High R.5. Of the four known Wass, Molitor ten dollar gold varieties, three are dated 1852. The lone 1855 variety was issued at the request of local bankers to meet public demand for circulating coinage. The origin of the dies that struck this issue is unknown, but they were apparently modified from previously prepared dies, as the crudely modified date evinces; the final digit was drilled and plugged with a 5, replacing whatever number was previously there. This unconventional yet fascinating, method of die modification is only seen on two coins among all American issues, Federal or private; the 1852 K-3 and 1855 K-6 Wass, Molitor tens. The primitive plug job is obvious: All examples of this date display a raised circular field around the last 5 in the date. Further research tells us that the obverse die for the 1855 ten was manufactured by the same die-sinker as the 1852 K-5 obverse die, as the main design elements are too similar to be coincidence.<BR> Thanks to the recovery of treasure from the <I>S.S. Central America,</B></I> about 40 examples of this rare Territorial gold piece exist today, although most are low grade. As of (4/07), PCGS has certified three AU55 pieces, with only two finer. The surfaces on this piece show little actual wear, most obvious on the highpoint hair before and behind Liberty's coronet and atop the eagle's head and left (facing) wingtip. The surfaces are somewhat prooflike under light field chatter and moderate small abrasions on each side. A deep, curving scrape on the obverse requires singular mention, running from star 2 to near the date, as do a few scattered dark alloy spots on each side. The shipwreck recovery aspect makes this piece even more appealing. Listed on page 357 of the 2007 <I>Guide Book.</B></I><BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Coins & Currency (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
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