1850 $5 Mormon MS(PCGS#10265)

Summer 2025 Global Showcase Auction U.S. Coins

Auctioneer

Stack's Bowers

Lot Number

3495

Grade

F15

Price

22,800

Lot Description

A seldom offered, yet eminently collectible grade for this historic gold rarity from the Great Salt Lake Valley. Deep tan-honey surfaces overall with enhancing blushes of powder blue and pinkish-rose iridescence readily evident as the coin rotates under a light. Detail is soft to missing at upper right obverse, lower right reverse, but otherwise wear is even and, while the date is also a bit faint, the features in other areas are discernible to bold. No significant marks are present to inhibit the eye appeal of this handsome and undeniably original piece.<p>The Kagin-5 variety is the only 1850-dated issue in the Mormon gold series, and the last produced using California gold. This issue uses a similar design to that seen on the 1849-dated Mormon coins, although the miter above the all-seeing eye has been replaced by a crown and halo, and the clasped hands are shaped differently and feature more intricate detail. Rarer than its 1849-dated predecessor, the 1850 Mormon $5 represents a fleeting bidding opportunity whenever an example appears at auction.