1861 SS Republic Double Eagle (1861 SS Republic $20) NGC MS60 CAC. Choice uncirculated Treasure ship gold (Blue Tag) from the SS Republic. Found among the wreckage of the S.S. Republic and now certified by NGC in a special holder, this double eagle struck in the first year of the American Civil War is a very historic coin. While usually considered to be a common date, the history that comes with these coins is worth much more to many people than the true value of this coin.

 

Only recently brought back to the surface after being on the bottom of the ocean for many decades, they are survivors from a turbulent era of American history, survived by an incredible storm that raged near the Atlantic seaboard in October of 1865.
Much has been written about both the American Civil War as well as the S.S. Republic. Collector interest has increased during the last few years, and with both the sesquicentennial of the Civil War as well as the 10th anniversary of the discovery of the S.S. Republic approaching, these coins surely will rise in value during the next decade. They will tell the story of American history in a special way, a possibility not a single history book has. They remember us to turbulent times in our nation’s history, which should not be forgotten.

 

As mentioned, this uncirculated double eagle has been certified by NGC in a special holder with a blue label, featuring an engraving of the S.S. Republic. It is further accompanied by a wonderful hardwood box, and a special booklet telling the story of the S.S. Republic. The overall display is very nice, and would fit perfectly in a display of Civil War items. The coin itself is remarkably free of abrasions on both sides, with only a small scratch on the obverse the reason of the low numerical grade. An historical piece, once part of the “ship of gold”!

 

In its population report as of March 2011, CAC shows 5 in MS60 with 9 better.