5/10/25 9:11 AM
Gold: $3,324.22
Silver: $32.71
Platinum: $998.00
Palladium: $975.15
G/S: 101.64
Pt/G: 0.30
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map11005 Olive Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63141
phone 314-692-2646 email Email
hoursMon - Fri: 8am to 5pm (CT)
Sat: 8am - 4pm (CT)
Lot #: Go
Lot Title: 1855 NGC AU details/repaired/cleaned
Lot Number: 874
Description: Government inflation figures suggest that $50 in 1855 currency had approximately the same purchasing power as $1300 in today's economy. This simple equivalency shows the unwieldy level of funds tied up within a single coin (albeit, quite a large one), especially given the fact that in the 1850s, small coins had all but disappeared from circulation, rendering the giants unfit for day-to-day commerce. The excessively large stature of these so-called "slugs" undoubtedly influenced many to be melted over the years, leaving few available to modern collectors, and even with "problems", all are highly coveted numismatic collectables.

The firm of Wass, Molitor & Co. was founded by Hungarian political refugees Samuel C. Wass and Agoston P. Molitor for the purpose of refining and smelting precious metal in the absence of official government presence. The firm struck gold coins in several denominations in 1855, including $10, $20, and of course, the large $50 slugs like that in the present lot. The obverse bears an obvious similarity to Federal gold coins of the era, with the dollar and fineness stated in straightforward fashion on the reverse. Gold coins struck by Wass-Molitor actually possessed higher average intrinsic value than the face value stated, which made them readily accepted in cash transactions.

NGC declares this to be a repaired and cleaned example, and although the eye-appeal is not particularly offensive, the surface clearly shows unnatural reflectivity due to having been carefully polished. It appears as if some field defects were smoothed over first, with smoothing particularly noticeable on the reverse. It may not matter much, though, given the terrific level of sharpness and historic appeal.
PCGS #: 10363
Certification: 2640749-001
Estimate: $29,000-$32,000
Lot Status: Bidding has been closed for this lot.
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Hammered Price: -
Price Realized: -

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1855 NGC AU details/repaired/cleaned
1855 NGC AU details/repaired/cleaned
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