Whitman Expo
1855 Wass, Molitor & Co. 20 Dollar Gold MS Large Head, Second Reverse, K-8 Values
Details
The Large Head Kagin-8 appears to be the final variety of $20 struck by Wass, Molitor & Company. It utilized a reverse die that was apparently never paired with the earlier Small Head obverse die. A single choice AU example is extant, and the discovery coin is impounded at the Smithsonian Institution. The third reported example was stolen from Willis DuPont in 1967 and was never recovered.
Obverse: Large Liberty Head with short neck and W.M. & Co. on diadem 1855, 13 stars around
Reverse: Federal Eagle, ribbon reading 900 THOUS., SAN FRANCISCO CALIFORNIA TWENTY DOL.
Mint & Coinage Details
Mint Location:
San Francisco
Mintage:
3 known
Coinage Type:
Private & Pioneer Gold
Coinage Years:
1852-1855
Composition:
Gold
Varieties and Classification
Variety:
Wass, Molitor & Co.
Variety 2:
Large Head, Second Reverse, K-8
Rarity:
R-8
Physical Characteristics
Strike Type:
Business
Coin Shape:
Round
Design Details
Obverse Lettering:
W.M. & Co., 1855
Reverse Lettering:
900 THOUS., SAN FRANCISCO CALIFORNIA TWENTY DOL.
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