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the loss of the SS Central America (from an 1857 illustration)
The SS Central America underway
The SS Republic underway
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US1. From the wreck of the S.S. Central America, lost September 12, 1857 off Charleston, SC 1857-S US $20 Type One Liberty, the scarce 20 C Narrow Serif variety With original box and certificate signed by Tommy Thompson [Sold]
Unlike the common 20A and 20B varieties, which total about 2/3 of the recovery from the Central America, the narrow serif 20C is distinctly hard to acquire in choice condition. Look at the 20C featured in the showcase Christie's auction of December 2000. That coin (lot 100) had two prominent bagmarks on the face and the familiar cloudy red toning, especially on the reverse. This coin is both cleaner and much more lustrous, but in their infinite wisdom PCGS has declared the baggy, heavily toned coin a MS 65 and this one a MS 63. You judge for yourself.
As shown on the home page photo, this Central America double eagle comes with the original faux-book box and certificate hand-signed by Tommy Thompson. It also has the original PCGS gold insert from about 10 years ago. Many Central America double eagles have made the trip back to PCGS and NGC in the last 10 years for the inevitable upgrades, but no new gold insets are issued. I have no doubt a dealer would get this one upgraded in the blink of an eye, but my preference is for maintaining everything as issued. I think the market has already begun to recognize and price choice original material over the stream of upgrades.
Sold. terravitan@aol.com or 480-595-1293
If you are new to collecting gold from the S.S. Central America, I recommend you consider acquiring Q. David Bowers monumental study of the wreck and Gold Rush coinage, and the 2000 Christie's catalogue of highlights from the S.S. Central America. While I have extra copies, I will include them with this coin at my cost.
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US 2. From the wreck of paddlewheeler S.S. Republic, lost October 25, 1865 off the Georgia coast, 1855 S $20 Type One Liberty, large S variety, with the DELUXE display case, disc, and slipcover from Odyssey Marine. Very few 1855 S were recovered from the Republic, none better than AU 58.
While something over 300 1855 S were recovered from the S.S. Central America, the S.S. Republic has yielded very few San Francisco issues of this date. This is not surprising if we recall that the Central America was en route from San Francisco when she was lost, while the Republic was sailing out of New York for New Orleans. No Republic 1855 S appeared in Bowers & Merena's premier sale of Treasures of the S.S. Republic (April, 2005). Odyssey Marine has released no information officially on the number and quality of the 1855 S recovered, but the unofficial word is "very few". To my knowledge no mint state 1855 S were recovered, so AU 58 is the highest grade 1855 S obtainable from the Republic.
Now available. $6450. terravitan@aol.com or 480-595-1293
Gold coins from the S.S. Republic come with two types of attractive large wooden boxes. Pictured below is the Deluxe box & case with a glass inset image of the S.S. Republic. The Deluxe box contains the coin, a DVD and booklet about the Republic and her treasure, and also a removable display frame. All in all, a very attractive presentation.
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US 3. From the wreck of the S.S. New York, [sold] lost September 6th, 1846 in the Gulf of Mexico en route to New Orleans, 1834 Classic Head half eagle ($5), Plain 4 variety. NGC AU 53.
Six 1834 Half Eagles were recovered from the S.S. New York, three of them encapsulated as "Shipwreck Effect" coins.
Sold. Comes with an attractive leather faux book . terravitan@aol.com or 480-595-1293
By the way, if you are new to collecting gold from the SS New York, I recommend you obtain a copy of Q. David Bowers' excellent book on the ship and her treasure, and a copy of the premier 2008 Stack's auction of SS New York coins. While I have copies of either, I will include them at my cost with this coin.
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US 4. From the wreck of the S.S. New York, [On Hold] lost September 6th, 1846 in the Gulf of Mexico en route to New Orleans, 1843 O Coronet Type No motto eagle ($10). NGC AU 55. The second finest example of this rare New Orleans eagle recovered from the S.S. New York.
All S.S. New York gold coins come the leather faux box pictured below.
Now available. On Hold. terravitan@aol.com or 480-595-1293
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US 5. From the shipwreck of the SS Republic, [Sold] 1857-S $20 MS61 NGC. Rare variety 20G. A lovely Mint State example with satiny lemon-yellow luster and highly reflective (in fact, prooflike) fields. This piece has superior luster and only a few minor marks, compatible with a higher grade. The design definition is excellent, and it retains great eye appeal. While the 1857 S is the most common double eagle found on the Central America, it is a quite scarce issue in the treasure of the S.S. Republic, which was lost 8 years after the Central America. Mint state 1857 S from the Republic are even rarer, with only 3 recorded specimens. The 20 G variety adds to the rarity of this double eagle, as it was also one of the rarest 1857 varieties on the Central America. No choice mint state 20 G was offered from the treasure of the Central America. Here is an opportunity to own probably the choicest 1857 S from the S.S. Republic, a great companion coin to go with your 1857 S from the S.S. Central America
Comes with its original wooden presentation box, DVD, etc. Sold.. 480-595-1293
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US6. From the wreck of the S.S. Republic, an 1858 Seated Liberty Half Dollar. Choice specimen, well struck with much original luster. Comes with wooden presentation box, CD, certificate, etc.
Available. Full listing soon. terravitan@aol.com or 480-595-1293 *****************************************************
US 7. 1892 S Barber Quarter [non-shipwreck]. [Sold] Extremely lustrous near Gem from the first year of the Barber series significantly undergraded as an NGC MS 64 ( judge for yourself)
This is a Barber quarter from the first year of the series (1892). Everyone agrees that it has truly exceptional frosty luster. NGC for some reason graded it an MS64 several years ago. I took the coin to the recent ANA convention in Phoenix and showed to some type people, including buyers for Heritage and Goldberg's. The unanimous consensus was that the coin is undergraded at least one grade and at least should get a PQ designation because of the superb luster. One grade point would add $2000-3000 to its sheet/price guide value. As many of you know, I don't recommend playing the resubmission game with the grading services, but this is the review and advice I got at the ANA. As is, in the old holder, they valued the coin at $2300-2400. Heritage recently auctioned another MS 64 1892 S, not as nice for $2400.
This coin last sold at Heritage's Long Beach Signature Sale on February 17th of 2007, where as lot 3203 it realized $2070. Excellent large photos of the coin are still available in Heritage's Permanent Auction Archives. Start with http://coins.ha.com, then enter Sale 430, lot 3203. If you would prefer me to send you some of those photos, just call me at 480-595-1293 or email me at terravitan@aol.com.
I don't think I can add anything to what the photographs tell you. We expect a 1892 Barber Quarter to be lustrous--though many are now muted by dark toning--but this coin is exceptional in its blazing white luster. It would be an unimprovable addition to a type set that wants coins with exceptional original luster. You could pay a great deal more for a 1892 S quarter in a slab with a higher number, but you cannot find a more attractive, lustrous coin.
The coin is now available for $2175. Email me at terravitan@aol or call me at 480-595-1293 for further information.
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