1852 Wass, Molitor & Co. 5 Dollar Gold MS Small Head, K-1 Values

Greysheet & Red Book® Price Guide

Sponsor

shop eBay

Sponsor

shop US Coins and Jewelry

Sponsor

shop Great Collections

Sponsor

shop Stacks Bowers Auctions

Sponsor

shop Whitman

1852 Wass, Molitor & Co. 5 Dollar Gold MS Small Head, K-1 Values

Details

The Small Head Kagin-1 Wass, Molitor & Co. $5 shares a reverse die with the large head variety and has been seen with reverse die cracks, indicating that it was struck after the Large Head variety. Between 10 and 12 examples are known and a single mint state example is considered the finest. Any original AU specimen would be a member of the condition census. Two examples were recovered from the S.S. Central America.

Obverse: Liberty Head with short neck and W.M. & Co. on diadem, 1852, 13 stars around

Reverse: Federal Eagle FIVE DOLLARS.IN CALIFORNIA GOLD.

Basic Information

GSID:

11881

Coin Date:

1852

Denomination:

G$5 / 5 Dollar Gold

Designation:

MS

Mint & Coinage Details

Mint Location:

San Francisco

Mintage:

10–12 known

Coinage Type:

Private & Pioneer Gold

Coinage Years:

1852-1855

Composition:

Gold

Varieties and Classification

Variety:

Wass, Molitor & Co.

Variety 2:

Small Head, K-1

Rarity:

R-H6

Physical Characteristics

Strike Type:

Business

Coin Shape:

Round

Design Details

Obverse Lettering:

W.M. & Co., 1852

Reverse Lettering:

FIVE DOLLARS.IN CALIFORNIA GOLD.

Feedback:

Available on Greysheet Marketplace

View All

Dealer Directory

View All Dealers

Greysheet News

View All News
Honoring 250 Years of America's Coinage
Honoring 250 Years of America's Coinage
3/27/2026

Whitman Launches its U.S. 250th Anniversary Collection of Albums and Folders for Semiquincentennial Coins Entering Circulation

Gold Trump Coin Gets Panel Review
Gold Trump Coin Gets Panel Review
3/20/2026

As the final item on the March 19 agenda, the Commission of Fine Arts considered an obverse and reverse design for a potential addition to the nation's Semiquincentennial coinage offerings.

Carter Collection: White Glove & World Records– Presidential Provenance Boosts Brunk Auctions' February Sales to $2.9 Million
Carter Collection: White Glove & World Records– Presidential Provenance Boosts Brunk Auctions' February Sales to $2.9 Million
3/11/2026

Brunk Auctions concluded three days of sales with outstanding results for Premier British & Continental on February 24, Americana featuring the Estate of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter on February 25, and Premier American & Southern on February 26.

Map icon

Mustang Town Center

Map icon

Rothchild Catering & Conference Center