1851 $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle PCGS AU55 Ex.SS Central America
SOLD
SKU
SSCA6616
There were only 33 examples of the 1851 $20 Liberty Double Eagle brought up during the original recovery (1999) of the S.S. Central America by the Odyssey Group, as indexed by the reference A California Gold Rush History. PCGS certified 29 of these 33 coins recovered. Now that we know the populations of the second recovery effort (released in 2018), a mere 9 more coins (designated as with a pinch) can be added to that total. Still, hardly enough to go around to all the interested shipwreck collectors!
The present example has the original gold foil insert and is labeled as #6616. We can only account for 3 of the 29 coins originally certified having appeared at public auction since they first appeared in 1999. These appearances occurred in 2000 (a MS60 and described as the finest graded by Christies), and two in 2012 (#6617 as XF45) and (#6610 as AU55). The 1851 double eagle represents a second year of issue and is not as historical and romantic as perhaps the 1850-dated coin is, but it does serve to represent the first full calendar year of production.
The present specimen is a wholesome Choice About Uncirculated AU55. It is a rich and lustrous honey gold with considerable luster remaining, especially on the reverse.
The S.S. Central America went from being an almost-forgotten maritime disaster to an oft-told treasure tale after the discovery of the wreck -- and the golden cargo within. We highly recommend interested market participants read The Ship of Gold. It has a wonderful account of both the disaster in 1857 and the salvage operation that took place within the last thirty years.
| PCGS # | 8904 |
|---|---|
| Grading Service | PCGS |
| Year of Issue | 1851 |
| Grade | AU55 |
| Denom Type | Liberty Head $20 |
| Numeric Denomination | $20 |
| Mint Location | Philadelphia |
| Designation | NONE |
| Circ/UnCirc | Circulated |
| Strike Type | Business |
| Grade Add On | NONE |
| Holder Type | SS Central America |
