Small Head variety. Kagin-1, R-6.

Wass Molitor and Company is best known for making massive round fifty dollar gold pieces in 1855 but they also made half eagles in 1852, eagles in 1852 and double eagles in 1855. Varieties of 1852 Wass Molitor half eagle are known with Small Head and Large Head and the former is the rarer of the two.

This Gold Rush rarity is seldom seen in any grade and examples with any sort of eye appeal are all but unheard of. The present example is probably the cleanest and most original piece I have seen. The appearance is suggestive of an AU55 with a very “meaty” obverse which retains some luster and exhibits very pleasing natural green-gold color. The reverse is a bit less choice due to less depth of the color and a few visible marks.

The last AU50 to sell at auction was a PCGS example offered as Stacks 7/08: 2244 which realized $40,250. Only four problem-free examples have sold at auction in the last decade.

This is likely a Condition Census example of an issue which is rare in all grades.