1856-61 3pc Gold & Silver Founder's Set, NGC Shipwreck Effect Ex. SS Republic

Here's an attractive 3-coin set that is a more affordable option. The coins found in the wreck of the SS Republic are greatly desired by collectors. All three of these pieces are uncirculated, but since they have "Shipwreck Effect," you can save a lot of money. If you add them to your collection, you will save several thousand dollars over coins without the "Shipwreck Effect."

1856-S $10 Liberty Head Eagle. The 1856-S $10 gold piece was one of the first issues struck at the San Francisco Mint, which had only opened its doors for business in 1854. Its relatively low mintage of 68,000 saw much circulation in the Old West of its day. Only 500 original pieces have been graded by NGC, none of which are graded higher than MS61+.

The New Orleans Mint, where in 1861 half dollars were struck under the authority of the Union, the State of Louisiana, and the Confederacy.

1861-O Liberty Seated Half Dollar. The year 1861 was the first year of the American Civil War, and the New Orleans Mint found itself in the midst of the drama. During 1861, the New Orleans Mint continued to strike coinage (half dollars and gold double eagles). Seized by the State of Louisiana after seceding from the Union, the Mint was later turned over to the Confederate government.  

Numismatic research in later years tells us that the number of half dollars coined under authority of the United States of America, all struck during January, was 330,000. Another 1,240,000 pieces were produced by the State of Louisiana during February and March, and some 962,633 half dollars were struck under the CSA during April. This issue becomes expensive in uncirculated grades.

1861 $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle. Here's a popular issue from the Civil War. With a mintage of 2,976,453, there are plenty of examples to be had. What makes this issue more popular is that it was struck during the Civil War.