The Rarest Thing You'll See Today

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Regulated
Regulated Posts: 2,994 ✭✭✭✭✭
in U.S. Coin Forum
I just had this coin graded for a client of mine - it is the only known 1855 $20 Wass Molitor K-8a, an emergency issue from a two-week period in 1855 when the San Francisco Mint was closed due to parting acid shortages.

All Wass $20s are scarce coins, but examples made with the Large Head obverse are incredibly rare, with only four specimens traced. Of these, one is in the Smithsonian and another was stolen from DuPont, leaving only two collectible examples for the entire type. This specimen is struck with a different reverse than the other three, which adds to its allure (although I would be stoked to have one of the three known examples of the other variety, too)...

Interestingly, before the Riverboat Sale in 2014, the last public offering of a Large Head Wass $20 was in Amon Carter (1984), and at that point it had been over 40 years since one had come up!

image

What is now proved was once only imagined. - William Blake
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  • CoinRaritiesOnline
    CoinRaritiesOnline Posts: 3,689 ✭✭✭✭
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    If this were on Facebook, I would hit Like.
    John Agre

    Coin Rarities Online
  • Regulated
    Regulated Posts: 2,994 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    I misread that and wondered who Luke was, and why you have been abusing him.

    What is now proved was once only imagined. - William Blake
  • CoinRaritiesOnline
    CoinRaritiesOnline Posts: 3,689 ✭✭✭✭
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    I'd hit Like for that one too!
    John Agre

    Coin Rarities Online
  • Broadstruck
    Broadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Neat... Shame the DuPont example was not part of the theft recovered territorial gold coins.
    To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
  • Jackthecat1
    Jackthecat1 Posts: 1,122 ✭✭✭
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    What a piece of history!
    Member ANS, ANA, GSNA, TNC



    image
  • CommemKing
    CommemKing Posts: 2,202 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Already CACed!
  • coinlieutenant
    coinlieutenant Posts: 9,328 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Awesome...

    siliconvalleycoins.com

  • Broadstruck
    Broadstruck Posts: 30,497 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Originally posted by: CommemKing

    Already CACed!




    Next day air does wonders image



    Guess we now need to add "NGH" to our coin vocabulary for that New (Old) Green Holder look? image

    To Err Is Human.... To Collect Err's Is Just Too Much Darn Tootin Fun!
  • Lakesammman
    Lakesammman Posts: 17,696 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Come on CRO - get with it. image



    image
    Gone but not forgotten: IGWT, Speedy, Bear, BigE, HokieFore, John Burns, Russ, TahoeDale, Dahlonega, Astrorat, Stewart Blay, Oldhoopster, Ricko, Big Moose, Cardinal, CoinsAreFun.
  • amwldcoin
    amwldcoin Posts: 11,269 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    The only dislike I have for this coin is the CAC sticker hiding the description on the holder. Great Coin!
  • RichieURich
    RichieURich Posts: 8,640 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Now that is really cool. I never knew a Large Head Wass Molitor existed!

    An authorized PCGS dealer, and a contributor to the Red Book.

  • Regulated
    Regulated Posts: 2,994 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Originally posted by: RichieURich
    Now that is really cool. I never knew a Large Head Wass Molitor existed!


    They're on the VERY short list of Pioneer Gold issues that I wasn't sure that I would ever get to handle. The device punch for the head on this one is the same one that they used on the $50.

    What is now proved was once only imagined. - William Blake
  • Ablinky
    Ablinky Posts: 628 ✭✭✭
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    Just awesome.

    Andrew Blinkiewicz-Heritage

  • keyman64
    keyman64 Posts: 15,650 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Neat piece of history! I had to check, it seems the coin has a reverse too! image

    I like the holder/label etc.



    image



    "If it's not fun, it's not worth it." - KeyMan64
    Not really looking for much these days but if I were, it might be a toner. :smile:
  • mirabela
    mirabela Posts: 5,199 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Regulated, can you comment on the AU50 grade? Were those struck with very weak detail in the first place?

    Not a knock on the coin, obviously -- that's amazing, and I've certainly never seen one -- but I would not have supposed that to be its grade if you'd shown it to us "blind."
    mirabela
  • jcping
    jcping Posts: 2,649 ✭✭✭
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    an amazing exceededly rare coin image
    an SLQ and Ike dollars lover
  • Regulated
    Regulated Posts: 2,994 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Originally posted by: mirabela
    Regulated, can you comment on the AU50 grade? Were those struck with very weak detail in the first place?

    Not a knock on the coin, obviously -- that's amazing, and I've certainly never seen one -- but I would not have supposed that to be its grade if you'd shown it to us "blind."


    Because they were all emergency issues, almost every Wass Molitor (of every year and denomination) is weakly struck, so you have to grade them based upon surface, rather than sharpness.

    Obviously, that's pretty tough to do with a photo on the internet, but there's a fair amount of residual luster on both sides of the piece - it's mostly apparent on the reverse, where you can see the deep, coppery toning in the protected areas, but you can also see some luster around the stars on the obverse. All of this is much more evident in-hand.

    The same reverse die was used to strike the more commonly encountered Small Head $20s - I have seen Mint State examples that had reverse details comparable to this one. The coin definitely makes the grade and deserves the green bean, although when you're dealing with something that's unique, grade is almost beside the point.

    What is now proved was once only imagined. - William Blake
  • Walkerguy21D
    Walkerguy21D Posts: 12,164 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Rarest thing today, indeed - probably the rarest thing I'll see all year!

    Successful BST transactions with 177 members. breakdown, scotty1419, mattniss, bigjpst, onlyroosies, Manorcourtman, guitarwes, Ebeneezer, Tonedeaf, Shane6596, Piano1, Ikenefic, RG, PCGSPhoto, stman, Don'tTelltheWife, Boosibri, Ron1968, snowequities, VTchaser, jrt103, SurfinxHI, 78saen, bp777, FHC, RYK, JTHawaii, Opportunity, Kliao, bigtime36, skanderbeg, split37, thebigeng, acloco, Toninginthblood, OKCC, braddick, Coinflip, robcool, fastfreddie, tightbudget, DBSTrader2, nickelsciolist, relaxn, Eagle eye, soldi, silverman68, ElKevvo, sawyerjosh, Schmitz7, talkingwalnut2, konsole, sharkman987, sniocsu, comma, jesbroken, David1234, biosolar, Sullykerry, Moldnut, erwindoc, MichaelDixon, GotTheBug
  • mariner67
    mariner67 Posts: 2,746 ✭✭✭
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    Amazing coin....thanks for the history lesson and sharing!
    Successful trades/buys/sells with gdavis70, adriana, wondercoin, Weiss, nibanny, IrishMike, commoncents05, pf70collector, kyleknap, barefootjuan, coindeuce, WhiteTornado, Nefprollc, ajw, JamesM, PCcoins, slinc, coindudeonebay,beernuts, and many more
  • mirabela
    mirabela Posts: 5,199 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Thanks for the explanation. Some of the luster comes through in the pics, obverse especially. Very informative, thanks for sharing this.

    Also -- I know your office is in Marin County; is it your impression that a lot of this California gold is still in Northern California or even the Bay Area more specifically, or has it mostly dispersed to serious collectors around the country or around the world?
    mirabela
  • Regulated
    Regulated Posts: 2,994 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Originally posted by: mirabela
    Thanks for the explanation. Some of the luster comes through in the pics, obverse especially. Very informative, thanks for sharing this.

    Also -- I know your office is in Marin County; is it your impression that a lot of this California gold is still in Northern California or even the Bay Area more specifically, or has it mostly dispersed to serious collectors around the country or around the world?


    Most Pioneer Gold has been dispersed, but every once in a while something mind-blowing shows up. A couple years ago, I had someone walk in with a holed Dubosq $10 that would otherwise have graded choice AU58. About seven years ago, a guy came in who had dug up a Humbert $50 - it still had some crud encrusted on it. After I conserved it, it graded MS65 - obviously a winner...

    What is now proved was once only imagined. - William Blake
  • mirabela
    mirabela Posts: 5,199 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Wow.
    mirabela
  • Walkerfan
    Walkerfan Posts: 10,392 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Great rarity and very interesting!



    Sometimes, it’s better to be LUCKY than good. 🍀 🍺👍

    My Full Walker Registry Set (1916-1947):

    https://www.ngccoin.com/registry/competitive-sets/16292/

  • breakdown
    breakdown Posts: 2,402 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Great stuff -thank you so much for sharing this. Reading an earlier auction description of Large Head specimens, it seems this coin may be the only one avaialable to collectors unless the Elder Chapman coin has been re-discovered.

    "Look up, old boy, and see what you get." -William Bonney.

  • TopographicOceans
    TopographicOceans Posts: 6,535 ✭✭✭✭
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    Yes it is
  • EagleEye
    EagleEye Posts: 7,677 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Originally posted by: Lakesammman

    Come on CRO - get with it. image



    image




    I know you want it for its special 30th anniversary holder.
    Rick Snow, Eagle Eye Rare Coins, Inc.Check out my new web site:
  • ShadyDave
    ShadyDave Posts: 2,218 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Some more info/history on this piece.

    I've never heard of this type of piece before, but a quick google search uncovered this...
  • Boosibri
    Boosibri Posts: 12,715 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    That is just awesome. Your client is one lucky guy (or gal). Thanks for sharing!

    Latin American Collection

  • CCC2010
    CCC2010 Posts: 1,997 ✭✭✭
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    Thank you for sharing. What a beautiful coin and piece of history.imageimageimage
    References:Coinsarefun,DerryB,Bloodman,Zubie,Gerard,Skyman,Bestclser1,Lakesammman,Yellowkid,PerryHall,Piecesofme,HTubbs,grote15
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  • DeliaBug
    DeliaBug Posts: 881 ✭
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    Wow.



    Some information for a previous owner on this coin for those interested - Virgil Brand owned this coin. And Brand also owned the other variety of the large head $20 Regulated mentioned. AND he also owned the unique pattern piece of the large head $20.
  • johnny9434
    johnny9434 Posts: 34,068 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    interesting.
  • oih82w8
    oih82w8 Posts: 13,209 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Very nice hunk o gold!
    oih82w8 = Oh I Hate To Wait _defectus patientia_aka...Dr. Defecto - Curator of RMO's

    BST transactions: dbldie55, jayPem, 78saen, UltraHighRelief, nibanny, liefgold, FallGuy, lkeigwin, mbogoman, Sandman70gt, keets, joeykoins, ianrussell (@GC), EagleEye, ThePennyLady, GRANDAM, Ilikecolor, Gluggo, okiedude, Voyageur, LJenkins11, fastfreddie, ms70, pursuitofliberty, ZoidMeister,Coin Finder, GotTheBug, edwardjulio, Coinnmore, Nickpatton, Namvet69,...
  • MrEureka
    MrEureka Posts: 24,778 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    The device punch for the head on this one is the same one that they used on the $50.


    The device punch for the head on this one is the same one that they used on the Small Head $50. The real challenge will be to find a Large Head $50. image
    Andy Lustig

    Doggedly collecting coins of the Central American Republic.

    Visit the Society of US Pattern Collectors at USPatterns.com.
  • TwoSides2aCoin
    TwoSides2aCoin Posts: 45,217 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Some clients have big coins. It's rare to have many even spend the grading fees with me on their coins. Nice one (client and coin) .
  • Zoins
    Zoins Posts: 34,489 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Beautiful and historic coin! Love the history of the CA gold rush pieces. Thanks for sharing!
    Private Mint News | 2010 Lincoln Reverse Finalists
  • crazyhounddog
    crazyhounddog Posts: 14,250 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Way nice!!
    The bitterness of "Poor Quality" is remembered long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.
  • TopographicOceans
    TopographicOceans Posts: 6,535 ✭✭✭✭
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    The Rarest Thing You'll See Today
    Nah, I saw it yesterday
  • lkeigwin
    lkeigwin Posts: 16,895 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    What a coin! We are grateful for your sharing it.

    Lance.
    Coin Photography Services / Everyman Registry set / BHNC #213
  • cheezhed
    cheezhed Posts: 6,406 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Posts like this why this forum is the best.
    Many happy BST transactions
  • jwitten
    jwitten Posts: 5,420 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Very cool coin, thanks for sharing!
  • CaptHenway
    CaptHenway Posts: 34,168 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Spiffy!
    Professional Numismatist, Retired. 55 year member ANA. Former ANA Senior Authenticator. Winner of four ANA Heath Literary Awards; three Wayte and Olga Raymond Literary Awards; Numismatist of the Year Award 2009, and ANA Lifetime Achievement Award 2020. Winner of the PNG's 2026 Robert Friedberg Award for "The Enigmatic Lincoln Cents of 1922," Available now from Whitman or Amazon.
  • EastonCollection
    EastonCollection Posts: 1,707 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    David - very very cool and thank you for sharing this coin with us.
    Easton Collection
  • ricko
    ricko Posts: 98,724 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Very impressive...thanks for sharing....Cheers, RickO
  • WHPRATT
    WHPRATT Posts: 114 ✭✭✭
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    @CoinRaritiesOnline said:
    If this were on Facebook, I would hit Like.

    You can now! : )

  • Type2
    Type2 Posts: 13,985 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Very cool.



    Hoard the keys.
  • CharlotteDude
    CharlotteDude Posts: 3,318 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    What a great coin... thanks for sharing.

    Got Crust....y gold?
  • 1630Boston
    1630Boston Posts: 14,157 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Thanks for the education. :+1:

    Successful transactions with : MICHAELDIXON, Manorcourtman, Bochiman, bolivarshagnasty, AUandAG, onlyroosies, chumley, Weiss, jdimmick, BAJJERFAN, gene1978, TJM965, Smittys, GRANDAM, JTHawaii, mainejoe, softparade, derryb, Ricko

    Bad transactions with : nobody to date

  • drddm
    drddm Posts: 5,467 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Very cool coin!
    Thanks for posting it.

  • northcoin
    northcoin Posts: 4,987 ✭✭✭✭✭
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    Thanks for sharing both the coin and its history. Speaking of gold rarities coming out of California, did the top rarities from the Saddle Ridge Hoard eventually sell and if so how close to their initial estimated prices? Also what percentage of the common date ones have not yet sold out and has the secondary market been strong for those that have been sold?

  • PaleElf
    PaleElf Posts: 990 ✭✭✭
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    Thanks for sharing. Learned something today!

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