The 1865 $20 Liberty Head gold coin, minted at the San Francisco Mint and one of finest of the 253 examples recovered from the SS Republic, is a numismatic delight. Struck during the Civil War’s final year, this James B. Longacre design (1849-1907) features Liberty with a coronet inscribed "LIBERTY" on the obverse and a heraldic eagle on the reverse, symbolizing peace and strength. The "S" mintmark identifies its San Francisco origin, where 793,000 were minted in 1865. NGC-certified as Choice Mint State-63, it retains strong luster and sharp details despite its shipwreck history. The SS Republic sank in a hurricane on Oct. 23, 1865, off Georgia, carrying “$400,000 in specie meant by Northern investors to help revive the war-ravaged economy of the South’s largest city,” per the excerpt.
Valued at $15,000-$25,000 in MS-63, this coin’s rarity is heightened by its SS Republic provenance, with similar coins also recovered from the SS Brother Jonathan wreck (1865, California). The excerpt details the Republic’s fate: “Two days later… it sank… 16 lives were lost.” Odyssey’s partners located it after 12 years using a submersible robot, as seen in National Geographic’s “Civil War Gold.” This 1865-S coin merges history and maritime adventure. (188 words)
Product ID | 555189 |
---|---|
Year | 1865 |
Mint Mark | S |
Strike | MS |
Grade | MS-63 |
Variety | SS Republic |
Precious Metal Weight | 0.9675 ozt Gold |
Grading Agency | NGC |
Specification properties | No |
Serial | 5055567-008 |
Status | Active |
Designation | Small S, |
Additional Info | - |
250,000+ Reviews
‘’AU Capital Management, LLC is a leading supplier of rare coins, paper money and precious metals. Committed to authenticity, they strive to serve customers with high-quality goods they'll treasure..’’
‘’AU Capital Management, LLC is a leading supplier of rare coins, paper money and precious metals. Committed to authenticity, they strive to serve customers with high-quality goods they'll treasure..’’
‘’AU Capital Management, LLC is a leading supplier of rare coins, paper money and precious metals. Committed to authenticity, they strive to serve customers with high-quality goods they'll treasure..’’
‘’AU Capital Management, LLC is a leading supplier of rare coins, paper money and precious metals. Committed to authenticity, they strive to serve customers with high-quality goods they'll treasure..’’
‘’AU Capital Management, LLC is a leading supplier of rare coins, paper money and precious metals. Committed to authenticity, they strive to serve customers with high-quality goods they'll treasure..’’