The gold coins from the shipwreck of the SS Central America are some of the most sought-after, historic American coins. Bound for New York from the port of San Francisco, changing ships and crossing the Isthmus of Panama, the coins sank along with the SS Central America in a hurricane off the Carolinas in September 1857. Now, 1857-S Pre-33 $20 Liberty Gold Double Eagle Coins from the SS Central America, with a Spiked Shield reverse, are available to you for purchase online from JM Bullion in certified condition.

Coin Highlights:

• Coins arrive in PCGS protective plastic slabs!
• 8^th issue of $20 Liberty Gold Double Eagles!
• Produced at the San Francisco Mint!
• Initial mintage of 970,500 coins!
• Distinctive Spiked Shield variant!
• Limited availability of certified coins!
• Contains .9675 Troy oz of actual gold content.
• Issued a face value of $20 (USD) by the United States.
• Bears a Grade of Mint State 64 from the Professional Coin Grading Service.
• The obverse depicts Lady Liberty.
• On the reverse is a depiction of the Great Seal of the United States.
• Includes an S mint mark from the San Francisco Mint.

The SS Central America, also known as the Ship of Gold, was a famous steamship that sank in a hurricane off the coast of South Carolina on September 12, 1857. The ship was carrying a substantial amount of gold from the California Gold Rush.

The SS Central America was transporting a significant quantity of gold from the gold fields of California back to the East Coast of the United States. The shipment had originally departed San Francisco, was carried by rail across the Isthmus of Panama, and loaded onto the SS Central America for the eastern leg of its journey. It was estimated that the ship was carrying around 15 tons of gold in the form of gold bars, gold dust, and gold coins.

In the obverse design of the 1857-S Liberty Gold Double Eagle Coin, you will find a left-profile bust of Lady Liberty. Created in 1849 by James B. Longacre, this image is based on Christian Gobrecht’s 1838 design for the other US Eagle denominations. It captures Liberty with the coronet crown on her head.

For the reverse visual of 1857-S Pre-33 $20 Gold Double Eagles, you will find the Great Seal of the United States. This particular coin is known as a Spiked Shield because the die strike left a more raised, defined edge to the lower-left field of the US national shield in the reverse design.

These 1857-S Pre-33 $20 Liberty Gold Double Eagle Gold Coins are available in Mint State 64 condition. Coins with this grade showcase an average mint luster for the date with several small contact marks in groups, and one or two moderate marks. One or two small patches of hairlines are also possible.

JM Bullion customer service is available to you at 800-276-6508 when buying gold. You can also chat with us online or email us directly.