1855 $20 Wass, Molitor & Co., Small Head California Gold - Wass Molitor & Company PCGS AU53 (CAC)

1855 $20 Wass, Molitor & Co. Small Head California Gold — PCGS AU53 (CAC) A classic of the California Gold Rush, this scarce territorial double eagle from Wass, Molitor & Company embodies the entrepreneurial minting that kept San Francisco commerce moving in 1855. Certified PCGS AU53 and approved by CAC, it offers the desirable Small Head variety with strong detail, attractive surfaces, and historical gravitas that appeals to both advanced specialists and new collectors of Gold Rush coinage. Eye appeal and surfaces Warm honey-gold to orange-gold hues with softly satiny luster in the fields Light high-point friction consistent with AU53, yet notably sharp detail for the type Even, original color with subtle green-gold accents in protected areas; no distractions beyond trivial circulation ticks Historical significance Struck by Wass, Molitor & Co. in San Francisco at the height of the Gold Rush to fill a pressing need for reliable, high-value coinage The Small Head Liberty motif pays homage to federal double eagles while standing as a distinct and iconic territorial issue Trusted in regional commerce and now a cornerstone of any serious California territorial gold set Rarity and certification PCGS AU53 with CAC approval, indicating superior quality for the assigned grade Population at CAC: 2 certified; only 6 examples graded higher, underscoring true scarcity in choice, problem-free condition Why collectors choose this coin Combines historical importance, visual appeal, and third-party assurance from PCGS and CAC A prime representative of California territorial gold, difficult to locate in CAC-approved AU Ideal for advanced Gold Rush specialists, PCGS Registry participants, and collectors seeking a blue-chip 19th-century gold rarity Key details Date/Issuer: 1855 Wass, Molitor & Co. (California Territorial Gold) Denomination/Type: $20 “Small Head” Double Eagle Grade: PCGS AU53 CAC: Yes (green) Variety: Small Head Population: 2 at CAC; only 6 higher Add this historically rich, premium-quality territorial double eagle to your collection—an evocative survivor of the San Francisco Gold Rush with the certification, eye appeal, and rarity that stand the test of time.