1852 $10 Wass, Molitor & Co. Large Head MS(PCGS#10348)

Summer 2025 Global Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

拍卖行

Stack's Bowers

批号

3493

等级

XF45

价格

85,689

详细说明

Warm even golden-honey coloration with hints of pale rose at and near the borders. The surfaces, while lightly marked as may be expected for the grade, show no serious defects or damage and provide an overall pleasing appearance. Softly struck, typical of the variety, although all the essential details are apparent and even the dramatic and endearing network of die breaks on both the obverse and reverse are discernible. A large break on the reverse runs from the left border piercing the eagle's left wing and finally connecting to the C in CALIFORNIA, in addition to a series of smaller breaks and chips connecting all of the letters. A desirable example of a historic issue with an intriguing story to tell.<p>After forming their partnership in 1851, Count Samuel C. Wass and Agoston P. Molitor had quickly established themselves as excellent metallurgists and assayers and their coins were accepted in commerce with little issue. In an era where it was customary to assay and process gold ore in eight days, Wass, Molitor & Co. could do so with a two-day turnaround, which no doubt served to encourage their customer base to grow. The firm produced three distinct varieties of 1852 $10 coins: Small Head, Large Head Wide Date, and finally the Large Head Close Date. While the Small Head 1852 $10 were struck using carefully repurposed Dubosq & Co. obverse and reverse dies from 1851, the 1852-dated Large Head Wide Date coins were struck from a different obverse die but paired with the same Dubosq reverse die as the Small Head pieces. The Large Head, Wide Date variety, as here, is one of the more available of the Wass, Molitor, & Co. coins and is a popular choice for collectors seeking an example of a coin from this highly respected firm.