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Behold, the ugliest coin in my collection 😉 .

PeakRaritiesPeakRarities Posts: 3,700 ✭✭✭✭✭
edited June 1, 2024 2:07PM in U.S. Coin Forum

When this coin was first offered to me, I immediately was hesitant because of the number of abrasions. Just about all of the coins in my collection have beautiful unabraded surfaces, but this one didn't quite match that level of eye appeal. When I dove into my research for this issue, I realized that this coin was actually pretty nice compared to what's out there on the open market. Most Wass 50s are well beyond being "messed with", they are straight mutilated. From repairs to deep scratches, harsh cleanings, giant rim bumps, and just about anything else unholy that could ever be done to a coin.

This one has a lot going for it. It's pretty darn original, with nice color, and there's a fair amount of mint luster. Well, at least "Wass 50 luster", which can be grainy and a bit unusual due to the method of manufacture. In terms of strike, I'd say its above average considering that the radial lines of the stars are all well defined and crisp, theres still visible hair curls, and then theres just a touch of weakness in the center of the reverse. In terms of actual wear, I could see this in a 45 holder but considering the abrasions I think the XF40 grade is fitting. PCGS has a total of 80 coins in the pop report, 15 in this grade and 32 higher. NGC's census reflects a mere 38 across all grade levels. CAC has approved only 14 in all grades, with 2 approved in XF40 and only 7 higher. The fact that most of these are net-graded to begin with and that even CAC shows quite a bit of clemency when evaluating these, just goes to show how difficult it is to find an unmolested example with originality. Since I made the decision to purchase this coin, it has grown on me quite a bit and I've come to a better sense of understanding and appreciation for its history and positive attributes. The peppered appearance may not be for everyone, but this is a fascinating issue that I wanted to add to the stable. Despite its shortcomings, this coin is delightful for what it is and I'm lucky to be its steward for a while.




"The time leading up to transition from the U.S. Assay Office of Gold to the establishment of the San Francisco Mint in 1854 was accompanied by acute shortages of gold coin similar to earlier periods, when private minters supplied much needed gold coin into West Coast commerce. Wass, Molitor & Company was at the forefront of private minters once again, responding to petitions from banking houses to mint gold coin despite the efforts of the fledgling United States Branch Mint to remove such coin from circulation. Both 1854 and 1855 were troubling years at the Branch Mint, forced to close intermittently due to lack of parting acids and materials to refine gold dust and copper alloy. Wass Molitor continued apace, issuing ten, twenty, and fifty dollar gold pieces in both 1854 and 1855.

The fifty dollar pieces were particularly in demand not only in banking circles, but throughout West Coast business relationships. The round fifties were accepted (sometimes at a premium) more readily than the old octagonal fifty dollar slugs made famous in previous years. Wass Molitor fifties were distributed far and wide, trading at par even far east of their original Western confines. Most surviving coins show signs of heavy use and circulation, including test cuts and numerous abrasions. Eventually, most of the pieces were melted at the San Francisco Mint as a convenient source of bullion, and recoined as San Francisco Mint double eagles. Wass, Molitor & Co. closed down after the 1855 issues were distributed"

  • Heritage Auctions U.S. Coins Signature Auction #1348

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  • PeakRaritiesPeakRarities Posts: 3,700 ✭✭✭✭✭

    If you guys want to have some fun with this thread, feel free to share the ugliest coin in your collection.

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  • PeakRaritiesPeakRarities Posts: 3,700 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Jacques_Loungecoque said:
    Dan, perhaps this coin does NOT deserve a video? 😜

    This is actually one I had in mind when I made that statement :D@MFeld

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  • RobertScotLoverRobertScotLover Posts: 913 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Dan,
    I completely understand but still think you may have been too hard with this piece after all it is in XF PCGS and stickered and uber rare and on top of all that its GOLD as well as my fav year 1855. It may not be perfect or match your set(s) but she is still a looker. Now if it was in AG or G or F I would agree with you but I am quite fine with this piece in all respects

  • PeakRaritiesPeakRarities Posts: 3,700 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @RobertScotLover said:
    Dan,
    I completely understand but still think you may have been too hard with this piece after all it is in XF PCGS and stickered and uber rare and on top of all that its GOLD as well as my fav year 1855. It may not be perfect or match your set(s) but she is still a looker. Now if it was in AG or G or F I would agree with you but I am quite fine with this piece in all respects

    Correct, and that's ultimately the logic I used when I decided to pull the trigger. Appreciate the kind words, It took me a little while to warm up to it but now it's actually become one of my favorites. Finding a stickered one is a bear, and the price was not unreasonable at all.

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  • alaura22alaura22 Posts: 3,159 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @DeplorableDan
    That is the most beautiful "ugly" coin I've seen in a long time
    I just wish.................
    I can see where it got the sticker, there's no scratches, rim dings, or graffiti on her, just honest ware from being in circulation for many years.
    Congrats

  • goldengolden Posts: 9,560 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Back in the day ( I am talking about 40 years ago ) I wanted a Wass Molitor $50. Everyone that I saw was beat up. I never did get one.

  • TrickleChargeTrickleCharge Posts: 174 ✭✭✭

    Beauty is in the eye of the reholder.

  • ashelandasheland Posts: 23,175 ✭✭✭✭✭

    That is a very cool piece of pioneer gold!

  • bronzematbronzemat Posts: 2,638 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 1, 2024 3:47PM


    Mark Antony and Octavian (41 B.C.)
    AR Denarius
    M. Barbatius Pollio, quaestor pro praetore
    O: Bare head of Mark Antony right.
    R: Bare head of Octavian right, wearing slight beard.
    Ephesus mint, Spring-early summer 41 B.C.
    3.5g
    20mm
    Crawford 517/2; CRI 243; Sydenham 1181

    This series of coins commemorates the establishment of the second Triumvirate of November 43 B.C. between Antony, Octavian and Lepidus. Both sides bear the inscription "III VIR R P C", meaning "One of Three Men for the Regulation of the Republic. Within a few years Antony would depart Italy for the Eastern provinces.

    The moneyer for this coin is M. Barbatius Pollio who was also a Questor in 41 BC. Barbatius bears the title of "Quaestor pro praetore" abbreviated to QP a distinction shared by his colleague L. Gelllius.

  • Jacques_LoungecoqueJacques_Loungecoque Posts: 733 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @DisneyFan said:

    @Eldorado9 said:

    That mouth scares me!

    Yikes! She might have a deeper voice than I do!

    Having fun while switching things up and focusing on a next level PCGS slabbed 1950+ type set, while still looking for great examples for the 7070.

  • ChangeInHistoryChangeInHistory Posts: 3,033 ✭✭✭✭✭

  • skier07skier07 Posts: 3,962 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 1, 2024 8:41PM

    I kind of like the coin and I can see how it would grow on you. You might have to wait 20 years to find a nicer one and who knows how much it will cost.

  • TennesseeDaveTennesseeDave Posts: 4,776 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Trade $'s
  • rte592rte592 Posts: 1,658 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited June 2, 2024 5:00AM

    Cast copy in aluminum... gold plated.
    Anyone have a clue when?
    I've had it 20+ years.
    Bought off eBay raw from a seller that didn't think it was real but didn't know anything else.

  • ConnecticoinConnecticoin Posts: 12,812 ✭✭✭✭✭

    I have a few ugly coins, but they are so ugly that I cannot justify the time it would take to take photos of them.

  • jfriedm56jfriedm56 Posts: 1,196 ✭✭✭✭✭

    3 attempts at drilling a hole or BB target?

  • BarberianBarberian Posts: 3,541 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @JBN said:

    @Barberian said:
    This is pretty ugly.

    No it's not.

    I'm being harsh with the coin. It's a wiped and possibly tooled (near date), CAC-approved "Filler" with some original toning that saves me some money. That's its beauty. It stood out as the lowest graded coin in the seller's outstanding collection. It's more at home in my lower grade, less-uniform, "Bongo's retread tires" set.

    3 rim nicks away from Good
  • Clackamas1Clackamas1 Posts: 925 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Dang they went full Kung Fu on that one.

    @lermish said:
    Those are tough to find, period. Nice addition!!!

    Here's my ugliest. Slightly better type but I have so many 76-Ss already I didn't feel like splurging for yet another hub combo.

  • tcollectstcollects Posts: 1,037 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @Walkerguy21D said:
    Tooled on the obverse:

    that's still a great coin, it shouldn't count here

  • oldabeintxoldabeintx Posts: 1,895 ✭✭✭✭✭

    Great coin DD. You’re putting together some nice pioneers! And, no coin is ugly.

  • CRHer700CRHer700 Posts: 1,870 ✭✭✭✭✭
    edited August 13, 2024 8:25AM

    @DisneyFan said:

    @Eldorado9 said:

    That mouth scares me!

    I didn’t know we had a dictator on a coin in 1904!
    :open_mouth:
    Edit: Moustache anyone?

    God bless all who believe in him. Do unto others what you expect to be done to you. Dubbed a "Committee Secret Agent" by @mr1931S on 7/23/24. Founding member of CU Anti-Troll League since 9/24/24.

  • braddickbraddick Posts: 23,946 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @jfriedm56 said:
    3 attempts at drilling a hole or BB target?

    More than likely a BB gun.

    peacockcoins

  • CRHer700CRHer700 Posts: 1,870 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @braddick said:

    @jfriedm56 said:
    3 attempts at drilling a hole or BB target?

    More than likely a BB gun.

    Or an awl.

    God bless all who believe in him. Do unto others what you expect to be done to you. Dubbed a "Committee Secret Agent" by @mr1931S on 7/23/24. Founding member of CU Anti-Troll League since 9/24/24.

  • gumby1234gumby1234 Posts: 5,575 ✭✭✭✭✭

    @OAKSTAR said:
    Finally, I thread where I can be King for a day! 🤣 😂

    Or at least until @emeraldATV gets here

    Successful BST with ad4400, Kccoin, lablover, pointfivezero, koynekwest, jwitten, coin22lover, HalfDimeDude, erwindoc, jyzskowsi, COINS MAKE CENTS, AlanSki, BryceM

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