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