1852 Wass Molitor, Close Dt Gold Eagle

Coin Details

Auction Record

$38,400 VF25 01-16-2022 Heritage Auctions

Description

The 1852 Wass, Molitor & Company ten-dollar eagle with close date variety features noticeably tighter spacing between the digits of the date compared to other die pairings. The close date distinction is an important die variety recognized by both major grading services. The eagle denomination was the backbone of Wass, Molitor’s commercial output, serving the mining economy’s need for a substantial but not unwieldy gold denomination. At roughly half an ounce of gold, the eagle was practical for significant purchases while remaining portable enough for personal use. The Wass, Molitor eagles are characterized by their distinctive European-influenced design work, reflecting the firm’s Hungarian heritage. The heraldic eagle reverse, while following the general conventions of American coinage, exhibits a Continental flair in its execution that distinguishes it from the more straightforward designs of competing private mints.

Rarity Notes

Rare. The close date variety is one of several die marriages known for the 1852 Wass Molitor eagle. Approximately 40-60 examples survive.

Cross References

PCGS #10351; NGC #31091; Wass, Molitor & Co., San Francisco; close date variety