1850-O/O Double Eagle (1850-O/O $20) NGC AU58. SS Republic (with blue tag). Newly discovered doubled mintmark! 1850-O/O $20 Liberty Head, No Motto, POP 1/1. Perhaps nothing in numismatics is more enchanting than a shipwreck treasure coin and the romance and history that it embodies. That infatuation is amplified tenfold when an ultra rare variety such as this is encountered.

The SS Republic, formerly named the SS Tennessee, was a sidewheel steamer that had been placed into service in 1853. During the Civil War she had sailed under the flags of both the Confederate and Union navies. At war’s end, under her new name, she had left New York laden with cargo and coins desperately needed to aid in the post-war reconstruction efforts. Bound for New Orleans, she would become caught in a ferocious hurricane and on October 25, 1865 she sank to the depths off the coast of Georgia. Her cargo, including this magnificent rarity went to the bottom with her.

138 years later the SS Republic was located and by 2005 her fabulous treasure, including this piece, had been recovered much to the delight of numismatists, investors, and historians around the globe. A wondrous cache of silver and gold coins were brought to market and have been exceptionally popular since. Fortunately, the conditions in the deep ocean water while abrasive to the silver coins resting there, did not damage the gold coins. Therefore, remarkably, this flashy and rare double eagle was recovered in the same condition as when it was lost just months after the Civil War concluded.

As if the lore of the shipwreck pedigree were not enough, this piece is also a newly discovered and attributed variety that is a POP 1/1!!! Ever so close to full mint state, this beautiful specimen displays just the faintest hints of wear. The luscious golden surfaces and razor sharp strike combine to give this double eagle the eye appeal of a significantly higher grade example. This glorious piece is encapsulated in a new NGC holder with a blue SS Republic tag and can be photo verified utilizing NGC’s revolutionary cert verification service.
An offering such as this is one to be seized upon by the elite collector/investor who requires the ultimate finest rarities in his/her numismatic portfolio.