1855 SM Head SS Central America $20 Wass Molitor PCGS AU58
1855 SM Head SS Central America $20 Wass Molitor PCGS AU58
Denomination: $20
Series: Territorials
Composition: Gold
Year: 1855
Mint: Wass, Molitor, and Company
Grade: AU58
Designation: Absolute and Condition Rarity
Mintage: Unknown
Population in Grade: 1
Finer Known Examples: 0
Finest Known: AU58
The California Gold Rush was a fortuitous time for independent mints as they kept numismatics alive by producing coinage when the US Mint was rushing to catch up. As the San Francisco Mint was not running until 1854, miners who struck gold in 1849 needed someone to assay their finds. This 1855 “Small Head” Wass Molitor Gold Double Eagle not only comes from California Gold Rush ore but was also one of only 2 recovered from the shipwreck of the SS Central America! For this coin to have ties to two of the biggest numismatic events in history is truly amazing. Between PCGS and NGC, this is one of only 4 graded in AU58 condition with just 4 graded higher, but this is the finest known example pedigreed to the “Ship of Gold,” the SS Central America. This is one of the finest known examples of the 1855 “Small Head” Wass Molitor Gold Double Eagle regardless of pedigree.
