1855 Wass, Molitor & Co. 20 Dollar Gold MS Large Head, Second Reverse, K-8 Values

Greysheet & Red Book® Price Guide

Sponsor

shop eBay

Sponsor

shop Whitman

Sponsor

shop David Lawrence Rare Coins

Sponsor

shop Stacks Bowers Auctions

Sponsor

shop

1855 Wass, Molitor & Co. 20 Dollar Gold MS Large Head, Second Reverse, K-8 Values

Details

The Large Head Kagin-8 appears to be the final variety of $20 struck by Wass, Molitor & Company. It utilized a reverse die that was apparently never paired with the earlier Small Head obverse die. A single choice AU example is extant, and the discovery coin is impounded at the Smithsonian Institution. The third reported example was stolen from Willis DuPont in 1967 and was never recovered.

Obverse: Large Liberty Head with short neck and W.M. & Co. on diadem 1855, 13 stars around

Reverse: Federal Eagle, ribbon reading 900 THOUS., SAN FRANCISCO CALIFORNIA TWENTY DOL.

Basic Information

GSID:

11886

Coin Date:

1855

Denomination:

G$20 / 20 Dollar Gold

Designation:

MS

Mint & Coinage Details

Mint Location:

San Francisco

Mintage:

3 known

Coinage Type:

Private & Pioneer Gold

Coinage Years:

1852-1855

Composition:

Gold

Varieties and Classification

Variety:

Wass, Molitor & Co.

Variety 2:

Large Head, Second Reverse, K-8

Rarity:

R-8

Physical Characteristics

Strike Type:

Business

Coin Shape:

Round

Design Details

Obverse Lettering:

W.M. & Co., 1855

Reverse Lettering:

900 THOUS., SAN FRANCISCO CALIFORNIA TWENTY DOL.

Feedback:

Available on Greysheet Marketplace

View All

Dealer Directory

View All Dealers
Rarity7
FEATURED

Greysheet News

View All News
Panels Look at 2027 American Innovation Dollar Designs
Panels Look at 2027 American Innovation Dollar Designs
6/10/2026

In April, the Commission of Fine Arts and the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee considered design proposals for the 2027 American Innovation dollars.

In Memory of Joel Iskowitz, Coin Designer
In Memory of Joel Iskowitz, Coin Designer
6/5/2026

Joel Iskowitz, who designed more than 50 coins and medals for the United States Mint, has died at the age of 79.

United States Mint Kicks Off Sales for 2026 FIFA World Cup™ Commemorative Coins June 4
United States Mint Kicks Off Sales for 2026 FIFA World Cup™ Commemorative Coins June 4
6/4/2026

The United States Mint has begun accepting pre-orders for products in the FIFA World Cup 2026™ Commemorative Coin Program.