1852 Wass Molitor, Sm Head Gold Half Eagle

Coin Details

Auction Record

$180,000 MS60 01-16-2022 Heritage Auctions

Description

The 1852 Wass, Molitor & Company five-dollar piece with the Small Head variety features a more delicately rendered Liberty Head portrait that occupies less of the die field compared to the Large Head version. The Small Head is generally considered the scarcer of the two varieties and is distinguished by the proportionally smaller facial features and more generous surrounding field. The design differences between the Small Head and Large Head varieties reflect the die-cutting process at the Wass, Molitor facility, where dies were hand-engraved by skilled artisans. The Small Head may represent either an earlier or alternative die preparation that was subsequently replaced by the bolder Large Head design. Both varieties circulated interchangeably in California’s mining camps and commercial centers. The Wass, Molitor five-dollar piece was particularly useful for everyday transactions, serving as pocket money for miners and tradespeople throughout Northern California.

Rarity Notes

Rare. The Small Head variety is scarcer than the Large Head. Approximately 50-80 examples survive.

Cross References

PCGS #10339; NGC #31145; Wass, Molitor & Co., San Francisco; Small Head variety