1849 Massachusetts & California Co. Ten Dollar - Brass, K-6a, Plain Edge

Coin Details

Description

The K-6a brass striking with plain edge of the 1849 Massachusetts & California Company ten-dollar piece reproduces the firm's eagle denomination design in a golden-colored base-metal alloy. The K-6 die pairing was used for the ten-dollar denomination, and the sub-letter designates the brass metal variant with a plain edge treatment. The ten-dollar denomination represents the Massachusetts & California Company's most ambitious product, requiring roughly twice the gold content of the firm's primary five-dollar piece. Whether genuine gold eagles were produced in any meaningful quantity remains debated, and the brass K-6a restrike may preserve a design that saw extremely limited or no gold production. The plain edge specification distinguishes this piece from any reeded-edge variants that may exist. Plain edges were simpler to produce, requiring no edge collar die, and are generally associated with less elaborate production methods. Brass K-6a eagle specimens contribute to the broader understanding of M&C production scope, confirming that the company intended to operate across multiple denominations.

Rarity Notes

Rare. Brass eagle specimens from M&C are scarce. The K-6a plain edge variant is specifically tracked by variety collectors.

Cross References

K-6a (Kagin). Massachusetts & California Co. $10 brass, plain edge.