Durham Treasure Coins
1863 S $20 Gold Small S from the SS Republic

Obverse:

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Reverse:

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Coin Details

Origin/Country: United States
Design Description: DOUBLE EAGLES - CORONET
Item Description: $20 1863 S SS REPUBLIC SMALL S
Full Grade: NGC AU 53
Owner: Durham Collection

Set Details

Custom Sets: Durham Treasure Coins
Competitive Sets: This coin is not competing in any sets.
Research: NGC Coin Explorer NGC Coin Price Guide
NGC US Coin Census for Liberty Head $20 (1850-1907)

Owner Comments:

Most $20 Double Eagles that were recovered from the sea command a very high premium especially from the SS New York and SS Central America Shipwrecks. I found a great deal on this SS Republic coin and it so happened to be the Small S variety which are more rare than the typical Medium S for the 1863 mintage. Ironically there were not many high grade examples of the 1863 S until they were found on shipwrecks. Sometimes collectors will crack them out of the shipwreck case to get a grade in a regular case. The idea is that the non-shipwreck coins that were high grade were very rare until the shipwrecks were discovered. Personally I love the fact that this gold came off the sea floor and got an AU53 grade. What a historical piece! Why someone would opt to lose the shipwreck designation is beyond me! Beautiful coin. One of my favorites now.

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