File:Moffat 1852 10 dollars obv H1209-3563.jpg

This specimen was lot 3563 in Heritage sale 1209 (Long Beach, September 2014), where it sold for $25,850. The catalog description^[1] noted, "1852 $10 Wass Molitor Ten Dollar, Small Head AU50 NGC. K-3, R.6. The 'plugged obverse' die variety. According to Kagin (1981): ('presumably an 1851 date was on the die and the numeral 1 was drilled out and replaced with a 2.)' The Guide Book refers to this variety as a 'Small Head' type, which Kagin dislikes, preferring to refer to it as 'Long Neck/RE/Large Close Date'. It is similar to the K-2 variety, but the bust is larger and the tip is rounded and over the 1 in the date. This piece is typically soft over the central design elements (from die lapping or polishing), with high-point wear from circulation that further reduces the available detail. All of the major motifs remain evident, however, even if the higher points of the design are somewhat faint. There are a number of trivial nicks and abrasions on each side, indicating that this coin actually served, however briefly, in the channels of commerce; probably in the San Francisco area. A rare and highly desirable item that should be of great interest to the Territorial Gold specialist. Census: 2 in 50, 3 finer (7/14). (PCGS# 10345)."