Buy Gold Coins from the 1857 Ship of Gold

The 1857 Ship of Gold

The S.S. Central America, known as the "Ship of Gold", operated during the 1850's transporting freshly mined gold from the California Gold Rush to New York. She reliably did this twice a month until the largest hurricane of the 19th century struck on September 11, 1857.  The ship sank along with 425 souls and millions of dollars into the dark waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the loss of the cargo was so important to the financial market that it caused the Great Financial Panic of 1857.

Now, over 160 years later, Austin Rare Coins is one of the few dealers that have been chosen to distribute these amazing golden treasures to the public. Only 3,154 gold coins were recovered from the second salvage of the SS Central America back in 2014, and not since 2005 has there been a substantial find of high-end, United States gold coins from a Civil War-Era Shipwreck. Most of the gold coins from the Ship of Gold are large $20 Liberty Head Gold coins, or Double Eagles, preserved in absolutely amazing states of preservation.

Allotments are extremely limited and demand for the sunken treasure is very high.  Because we are amongst the first dealers to offer these coins, we acquired them at the lowest prices possible. Each coin has been carefully curated, graded and certified by PCGS and comes in a gorgeous presentation case along with a "pinch of gold" from the shipwreck.

Most of the coins we have are 1857-San Francisco $20 Liberties in grades ranging from AU-58 (near mint) up to a single, gem Mint State-65 example.  

Prices for these coins start at only $6,950 each, which we feel are very reasonable given their high gold content, historic importance, and overall beauty. 

---

As you can see from the images below, the quality and packaging of coins from the "Ship of Gold" are impressive.

**So that all of our clients can have a chance to own a Double Eagle from the Central America, we're offering $1,400 for every ounce of gold that you would like to use as trade for one of these coins, no matter the grade.

Call 1-800-928-6468 for details and to lock-in these trades.

Ship of Gold - SS Central America Shipwreck Coins

On September 3rd 1857, the SS Central America left Panama carrying 10 tons of gold coins and bars that had been mined in the hills of California during the Gold Rush. Carrying 477 passengers and 101 crew members, the ship set sail for New York City under the command of captain William Herndon. 

A few days later the ship ran into a powerful hurricane off the coast of the Carolinas, and after 2 Days of heavy winds and rains the powerful storm rendered the Central America helpless. Eventually the the ship could take no more, 425 people lost their lives and all of the gold on the Central America sank to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. There it remained until "The Ship of Gold" was discovered in the 1980s.

The Treasure of the SS Central America ranged from large gold ingots of various sizes to newly-minted $20 gold pieces, freshly struck in San Francisco, and every other denomination of coinage imaginable. The recovered treasure is unprecedented in terms of scope, size and quality.

Today, Austin rare coins and bullion handles many of the finest coins recovered from the "Ship of Gold" - SS Central America available for sale. Be sure to call 1-800-928-6468 for up-to-the-minute availability and pricing on the exclusive release of the gold Treasures recovered from the SS Central America shipwreck of 1857.

While the great majority of the coins recovered are double eagles we have exclusive access to many of the overlooked, fundamental rarities available from this extraordinary piece of American history.

Long Beach Expo Featured Rare Gold & Silver Coins from S.S. Central America Shipwreck

On Thursday, Feb. 22 until Saturday, Feb. 24. the Long Beach Convention Center exhibited roughly $40 million in gold treasure! These extraordinary coins were recovered from the S.S. Central America, which sank in 1857 about 160 miles off South Carolina.

Here is a video from Coin Week about the display that was brought to Long Beach by Dwight Manley who acquired rights to salvage the wreck in 2014. " This is the first in a multi-year series of displays from the collection showcasing more than 500 superbly preserved examples of portrait coins minted in the Thames Valley over the last 1,400 years, including a complete King Edward VIII pattern proof set produced in 1937 by the Royal Mint—the only known set in private hands."  

Check Austin Coins & Bullion
at www.AustinCoins.com

for future SS. Central America Shipwreck coins to be release later in 2018!

SS Central America 1857 S $20 Liberty Head Coins MS-63

Shipwreck Coins

Below is a sample of a Gold Liberty Head Coin from the S.S. Central America of 1857. This original
relic can be purchase from Austin Rare Coins.  They has been involved with every major release 
of U.S. Shipwreck Gold since the S.S. Brother Jonathan was recovered in the 1990’s.  Order now 
or if you have any questions, call one of our Rare Coin Specialists at 1-800-928-6468.

Certified by PCGS and protected by their holder.

Both Sides of this remarkable Coin!

 Obverse Side

Reverse Side

Find this coin and more Shipwreck Coins like it at AustinCoins.com.

© 2014 Austin Rare Coins, Inc.

All Rights Reserved

Shipwreck Coins Update

First Gold Recovery From SS Central America Since 1991 - CoinsWeekly – News

June 12, 2014 – Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc., a pioneer in the field of deep-ocean exploration, recovered nearly 1,000 ounces of gold during the first reconnaissance dive to the SS Central America shipwreck site on April 15, 2014.

Five gold bars, totaling approximately 1,000 ounces, were recovered by Odyssey Marine Exploration during the first reconnaissance dive to the 2,200 meter deep SS Central America shipwreck site in April 2014. The bars were stamped with various assayer's marks and weights that range from 96.5 to 313.5 troy ounces. Copyright: Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc., www.OdysseyMarine.com.

Recovered gold included five gold ingots and two $20 Double Eagle coins (one 1857 minted in San Francisco and one 1850 minted in Philadelphia). The gold ingots were stamped with assayer’s marks and weights that range from 96.5 to 313.5 troy ounces.

Recovery Limited Partnership's director of operations Craig Mullen (left) and chief scientist & historian Bob Evans (right) hold one of the five gold bars recovered by Odyssey's Remotely Operated Vehicle ZEUS (background) during the first reconnaissance dive to the SS Central America shipwreck in April 2014. Copyright: Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc., www.OdysseyMarine.com.

The two-hour reconnaissance dive was conducted during the transit of Odyssey’s research vessel, the Odyssey Explorer, from the United Kingdom to Charleston, South Carolina, to mobilize for the project, which is being conducted under contract with the receiver of Recovery Limited Partnership (RLP). RLP director of operations Craig Mullen and RLP chief scientist/historian Bob Evans accompanied the Odyssey team for the dive operation. Mr. Evans previously served as chief scientist, historian and later as curator for the initial Central America recovery operations conducted between 1988 and 1991.

Odyssey's eight-ton Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) ZEUS is launched from Odyssey's 251' archaeological platform the Odyssey Explorer. The ROV descends to the ocean floor to conduct work on a deep-ocean shipwreck sites while operation is directed by the archaeologist and project manager aboard the Odyssey Explorer. Copyright: Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc., www.OdysseyMarine.com.

During the dive, Odyssey’s ROV ZEUS flew over the shipwreck to assess the current condition of the site. Gold ingots and other artifacts were clearly visible on the surface of the site during the dive and no excavation was required for their removal. Given the reconnaissance purpose of the dive, only five gold ingots, two gold coins, a bottle, a piece of pottery, a sample of the shipwreck’s wooden structure, and an element of a scientific experiment that was left at the site more than 20 years ago were recovered. The positions of the recovered artifacts were documented for archaeological purposes and will be noted in the detailed site plan that is being created. The archaeological excavation of the site will be undertaken once the pre-disturbance survey provides detailed documentation of the site.

One of the two $20 Double Eagle coins recovered in April 2014 during Odyssey's first reconnaissance dive to the SS Central America shipwreck site, which lies 2,200 meters deep and 160 miles off the coast of South Carolina. Copyright: Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc., www.OdysseyMarine.com.

‘This dive confirms for me that the site has not been disturbed since 1991, when I was last there,’ said Bob Evans chief scientist/historian for RLP.
RLP director of operations Craig Mullen added, ‘The skill exhibited and results achieved during the initial reconnaissance dive reinforces our belief that the Odyssey team was the absolute best choice for this project. In addition to the cargo recovery operation, we plan to collect deep-ocean biological samples for Dr. Timothy Shank, a deep-ocean biologist and head of the Molecular Ecology and Evolution Laboratory at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Our objective is to document and provide Dr. Shank with samples of species that have returned to the site since previous operations ended. Odyssey’s documentation capabilities will contribute significantly to scientific understanding of deep-ocean biological processes. This continues a history of supporting scientific research at the site.’

To learn more about the historical background of the SS Central America and the story of the shipwreck’s discovery read this article.

For further information on Odyssey Marine Exploration and their other projects go to the firm’s website.

*******************************

To find out more about the history of this Shipwreck go to http://shipwrecks.ws/SS-Central-America-Shipwreck.html

More Gold Found at The Site of the SS Central America

I can already bet that someone is already starting to write the "Return to the SS Central America" - The shipwreck that keep giving!  

Austin Rare Coins Offers Shipwrecked Gold
What makes this shipwreck so important to rare coin collectors are the extremely high quality, Pre-Civil War, $20 Liberty Gold coins that are now available.

It is with great pleasure that Austin Rare Coins can offer a few of the highly prized Gold coins from the S.S. Central America shipwreck. You can call a one of our Rare Coin Specialists to place your reservations or find some coins already available to purchase today.  Check our inventory here.

The 251’ Odyssey Explorer serves as Odyssey's
principal state-of-the-art deep-ocean archaeological
platform (Odyssey Facebook Photo)

It seems like a blockbuster sequel and this time it is the Odyssey Marine Exploration that is on their first reconnaissance mission in decades.  They've been exploring the shipwreck site since April 15 and yesterday on Cinco De Mayo, 2014 announced they have recovered nearly 1,000 ounces of gold on their first reconnaissance dive.  


"According to the firm's press release, the gold recovered included five gold ingots and two Coronet $20 double eagles. One dated 1850 and another dated 1857-S. "

Odyssey's remotely operated vehicle (ROV) ZEUS
returns to the surface following work on a deep-ocean
shipwreck site. (Odyssey Facebook Photo)

Unlike the exploration by the Columbus-America Discover Group of Ohio led by Tommy Thompson, who basically took the money and ran without giving the exploration team and investors their cut, the Odyssey will receive "80% of recovery proceeds until a fixed mobilization fee and a negotiated day rate are paid."  Once that is taken care of, they will divvy up the remaining 45%.

J. Childs, Painting of the sinking of the Central America,
1857. Source: National Maritime Museum, London.

The SS Central America shipwreck was first found in 1987 at a depth of approximately 7,200 feet and less than 5% of the site was investigated. The current exploration should uncover much more since the tools and techniques for extensive archaeological excavation have vastly improved since 1987. 

Greg Stemm, the CEO of Odyssey has ambitious goals of targeting "one or more shipwreck cargo recoveries each year totaling at least $50 million annually." The addition of the SS Central America should prove to be a rewarding endeavor, to say the least!    

The 1857 SS Central America Shipwreck - "Ship of Gold"

On September 11, 1857 the Central America sank in a hurricane in the Atlantic Ocean. It was one of the worst peacetime tragedies of not only lives, but also tons of Gold which were thought to be lost forever.

Amazingly, on September 11, 1988, exactly to the day 133 years later, the S.S. Central America was located by the Columbus-America Discover Group of Ohio led by Tommy Thompson. It took another year for some of the Ship of Gold's cargo of San Francisco Gold coins to finally be retrieved from the bottom of the ocean. Estimates of how much gold was on the ship when it went down have ranged as high as 10 tons. 

It wasn't an easy task retrieving the Gold and it was even harder to keep the treasure that they found. Thirty-nine insurance companies filed law suits to be re-paid the damages lost to insure the ship. To make matters even worse Thompson, who sold salvaged gold bars and coins to a California mint for $52 million before going on the lam, remains a wanted man after failing to appear in an Ohio court in 2012. The 62-year-old seasoned sailor and diver is accused of cheating his team of nine technicians of at least $2 million, and they have been fighting for their cut.  No one can find Thompson, but the U.S. marshals are eagerly looking to do it. 

Now "a contract has been awarded to Odyssey Marine Exploration, which is allowed to conduct more archeological recovery and conservation of the remaining shipwreck." [1]

According to Coin World the "Odyssey Marine Exploration announced on May 5, 2014, that it has recovered nearly 1,000 ounces of Gold during the first reconnaissance dive to the SS Central America shipwreck site on April 15. According to the firm's press release, the gold recovered included five gold ingots and two Coronet $20 double eagles. One dated 1850 and another dated 1857-S." [2}

Now, some 157 years later, you can own an authentic, historic piece of California Gold Rush history with these Shipwreck Gold Coins and Shipwreck Silver Coins. 

Click Here to see current inventory.

 References:

1. www.columbia.edu/SS_Central_America
2. www.coinworld.com/news/more-gold-emerges-from-ss-central-america-shipwreck-site

Go To Shipwreck.ws to find out more about the SS Central America and other Shipwrecks!