1846 $10 Liberty Head Eagle NGC AU55 Ex.SS Republic w/Box & COA

1846 $10 Liberty Head Eagle NGC AU55 Ex.SS Republic w/Box & COA--$9,950.00

      Rarely an opportunity presents itself to acquire such a coin. We are pleased to offer for your consideration a truly rare 1846 $10 Liberty half eagle. This specimen is also a survivor of the tragic shipwreck of the S.S. Republic in 1865. It would be perfect in a type set of important U.S. gold coinage. Gold specialist David Akers writes, "...the 1846 is a grossly underrated date....It is not easy to locate an 1846 Eagle in any condition and almost all of the relatively few known specimens are only VF or EF....In my opinion, few other U.S. coins are as underrated and underappreciated for their true rarity as this one..."

      The year 1846 was a watershed in American history. Pioneering Mormons began their trail West from Illinois to modern-day Salt Lake City. The people of California, Neuvo Mexico and Texias had numerous conflicts with Mexico, resulting in the Bear Flag Revolt and the Mexican-American War. President James K. Polk speaks to Congress about Mexico, while Gen. Zacharly Taylor leads U.S. troops there. Meanwhile, at the U.S. Mint in Philadelphia, the primary focus is upon minor coinage and the utilitarian $5 half eagle. The Mint produces 4.12 million large cents in 1846, as well as over 500,000 quarters and 2.2 million Seated Liberty half dollars. The 1846 $5 half eagles were struck to the tune of around 400,000. The Eagle of that year, however, saw a mintage of only 20,095.

      The Republic left New York on October 18, 1865, bound for New Orleans  with passengers and a cargo of $400,000 in coins, primarily gold $10 and $20 pieces. New Orleans was a bustling, thriving city, but due to the Civil War, "hard money" was in short supply. A hurricane off the coast of Georgia, on the fifth day, prevented the SS Republic from continuing on its voyage. That night saw her hull leaking, which resulted in the fire in the boiler being snuffed out. The ship stalled in the heavy seas, taking on water at a frightening rate. At 4 p.m. on October 25 she sank. All passengers and crew took refuge in four lifeboats and a rough and ready raft before the Republic plummeted towards the ocean's floor. Two days later, the desperate survivors were found by the sailing ship Horace Beals.