There are few shipwrecks in American history as infamous as the SS Central America. The steamer ship was carrying the gold ingots and US Gold Eagle coins from San Francisco, via Panama, to New York when it sank off the Carolinas. The SS Central America went down with the equivalent of $300 million worth of gold by today’s valuations. Today, 1857-S $20 Liberty Gold Double Eagle Coins with a Spiked Shield visual are available to you online at JM Bullion in certified condition.
Coin Highlights:
- Available to ship inside PCGS protective slabs!
- 8th release of $20 Liberty Gold Double Eagles!
- Issued at the San Francisco Mint!
- Original mintage of 970,500 coins!
- Unique Spiked Shield variant!
- Limited availability of certified coins!
- Contains .9675 Troy oz of actual gold content.
- The face value of $20 (USD) is fully backed by the US government.
- Graded Mint State 65 by the Professional Coin Grading Service.
- On the obverse is Lady Liberty.
- The reverse features the Great Seal of the United States.
- S mint mark from the San Francisco Mint.
The SS Central America was carrying a substantial amount of gold from the California Gold Rush when it sank. Estimates suggest that it was carrying $2 million worth of gold, which would be worth roughly $300 million today.
All of these 1857-S Pre-33 $20 Liberty Gold Double Eagle Coins from the SS Central America have a Mint State 65 grade. Coins in this condition have attractive mint luster and only a few small, scattered contact marks or two larger marks. It is also possible for one or two small patches of hairlines to be visible.
Known as a Spiked Shield Coin, these 1857 $20 Liberty Gold Double Eagle Coins have a unique visual element on the reverse field. All coins feature the US heraldic shield on this side. The Spiked Shield variant is identifiable by the presence of raised die lines near the lower-left edge of the heraldic shield.
On the obverse of 1857-S Liberty Gold Double Eagle Coins, you will find a depiction of Lady Liberty in left-profile relief. She is featured with a coronet crown on her head, a ring of 13 stars around her bust, and the date mark at the bottom.
The reverse side of the 1857 $20 Liberty Gold Double Eagle Coin from the SS Central America includes the Great Seal of the United States. Here, an American bald eagle supports the US national shield with its wings flexed to its sides, the arrows of war in one talon, and the olive branch of peace in the other.
Please contact JM Bullion if you have any questions about gold for sale. Our team is available at 800-276-6508, online through our web chat, and via our email address.