"Rare Gold Coins from the Historic Shipwreck of 1865"
In July of 1865 the side wheeler steamship the S.S. Brother Jonathan sailed from the harbor in San Francisco overloaded with cargo. On board was a treasure chest of gold mined during the California Gold Rush Days.
A gale kicked up shortly after Brother Jonathan left port and the storm worsened. Around one o’clock in the afternoon, the ill-fated steamer passed Crescent City, California hitting the Saint George Reef. The impact was so jarring that both passengers and crew were tossed overboard.
A geyser immediately erupted inside the paddle wheeler and within 45 minutes the Brother Jonathan sank to the bottom of the Pacific Ocean as onlookers watched helplessly from the high bluffs of the town. Only 19 of the 223 passengers survived. Among the sunken items were personal belongings, china cups, porcelain, glass bottles and a group of “Rare Date” San Francisco Mint gold coins minted during the Civil War in 1865.
Rumors Abound of Gold Treasures Among the Shipwreck
For some 131 years, rumors abounded about sunken treasure aboard the ship. Many thought there was a Civil War Army payroll on board. No one knew for sure where the shipwreck was since 1865, nor if any gold coins were really on board, or if they were preserved in recognizable condition. Thanks to modern deep sea technological developments, treasures from famous shipwrecks like the Titanic have been successfully saved in recent years.
In 1993, the S.S. Brother Jonathan shipwreck was discovered by scientists in search of the highly prized gold and other historical treasures. When news was released of the find, rare coin experts were amazed. On board were a variety of Pre-Civil War coins carried by the passengers. Among the shipwreck was a find of historic, $20 Liberty gold pieces dating 1865. The coins were placed in the hands of a numismatic team who carefully dissolved the adhered calcium and residue without using polish, abrasives, or any other substance which would be harmful to the coins. In this way the dirt was removed and the majority of the coins are no different in appearance than they might be if they were stored in a bank vault over the last century.
 Rare Date 1865 $20 Liberty Gold Found Underwater After 131 Years
Indeed, a group of freshly minted $20 Liberty gold coins was on board the S.S. Brother Jonathan which had been struck in early 1865 at the San Francisco Mint. When our Austin Buying Trust heard about this rare find back in 1996, we were truly excited about the news.
The 1865 “California Gold Rush” date was so rare that only eight were known to exist in mint condition back in 1995. Over the years, Rare Coin collectors waited patiently as the long court battle over ownership of the contents of the S.S. Brother Jonathan was finally settled in the Supreme Court.
Last week, the Austin Buying Trust was invited to bid on this collection of some 1,006 Civil War Era gold coins recovered from the famous S.S. Brother Jonathan shipwreck. Next, we’ll show you how these lost American treasures can now become a valuable part of your Rare Coin collection.
Austin Buying Trust Acquires 1865 Gold Coins from the Famous
S.S. Brother Jonathan Shipwreck
Austin Rare Coins is pleased to announce that we have acquired a small collection of Rare Date 1865-S $20 Liberty Gold Coins from the S.S. Brother Jonathan shipwreck. Thanks to our Buying Clout and inside track on the Rare Coin Market, we were able to acquire these for our Preferred Collectors only.
 First, let us tell you about this historic sale. Perhaps you've seen news accounts in the Wall Street Journal, your local paper or on CNN and wondered how anyone could ever own coins from a famous shipwreck like this. We felt the same way. In fact going into the sale, the Austin Buying Trust would have been thrilled to walk away with even a single coin from the S.S. Brother Jonathan shipwreck sale. But our winning bids were more like a miracle!
We Bought the Cream of the Crop at the Best Prices
Going into the sale we knew there were a variety of Civil War Era gold coins found in this shipwreck. Most coins were very strong and overpriced for their low quality. But much to our amazement, the second session contained the highest quality coins at prices far less than we ever imagined and featured rare, $20 Liberty gold pieces dating 1865 preserved in pristine, Brilliant Uncirculated, mint condition— despite being shipwrecked on the ocean floor for over 131 years!
All Coins Certified With Special Notation on Each Holder
Best of all, the $20 Liberty gold coins we acquired from the Brother Jonathan shipwreck were in such excellent Brilliant Uncirculated condition that each was individually graded by P.C.G.S. or N.G.C. to be in mint state condition. These precious pieces of American history were then placed in specially sealed holders, with a special grading certificate, that forever authenticates these as original coins from the S.S. Brother Jonathan shipwreck.
 National Treasures of Inestimable Future Value
We take great pride in placing Rare Coins with our clients, which are of high quality, have historic significance, strong collector appeal, true rarity, or which represent solid value. These $20 Liberty Type I Gold pieces from the S.S. Brother Jonathan combine all these factors and more.
Historic Significance as Genuine Civil War Collectibles
To begin with, the value of owning a precious gold coin, minted during the Civil War, with such unique historic importance cannot be overstated. Even if these coins were not from the famous shipwreck, they would be perfect for any serious coin collection.
Collectors Always Want What Other People Can’t Have
In addition, the S.S. Brother Jonathan gold coins are a unique group of rare coins in all of American history! These 1865 coins are truly lost national treasures, priceless, and of inestimable future value. They are genuine Civil War era coins struck in precious metals from the California Gold Rush. What is more important is that these $20 Liberties are preserved in extraordinarily high, Brilliant Uncirculated, mint condition– even after residing on the ocean floor for over 131 years! These are exciting rare coins to make you the envy of all your friends. 
You'll Take Great Pride Owning Even a Single Coin from this Historic
1865 S.S. Brother Jonathan Shipwreck
These $20 Liberty gold pieces are far more than simply a collection of 1865 coins. They are a reflection of the artistic talents and craftsmanship of a bygone era in American history. They have inherent beauty and aesthetic value as highly prized gold rare coins of the 19th century. These particular gold coins from the shipwreck of the S.S. Brother Jonathan have unique and irreplaceable value.
Today, there are estimated to be 20 million rare coin collectors in the United States alone. Anyone who can afford one, would love to own a famous gold coin from the S.S. Brother Jonathan shipwreck. Sadly, they’re so rare that only a fraction of 1% of American coin collectors could ever own one! A coin like this will add significant distinction to your entire coin collection.
Consider Carefully the Historic Rarity Factors
Before this treasure ship was recovered and these coins entered the market, the 1865 $20 Liberty from the San Francisco Mint was so rare that less than eight were known to exist in all mint-state grades. Now, that’s a truly rare coin by any measure!
In fact, the trends report shows an 1865-S in MS-63 to be valued at $30,000 each. I’m afraid only a few people could ever afford to own one at that price level. Naturally, the addition of these coins from the S.S. Brother Jonathan shipwreck to the market changes the populations and will lower current price trends.
Q. David Bowers, numismatic historian on this sale, reports, “Prior to this offering a single high quality mint state 1865-S $20 Liberty would have been worth tens of thousands of dollars... challenging the $100,000 mark, if you could find one.” In time, they will become dispersed and difficult to locate at any price.
The Future of Such a Collectible
While past performance is no guarantee of future value, in our opinion, these coins from the S.S. Brother Jonathan shipwreck will be quickly absorbed into the marketplace by Civil War collectors, shipwreck memorabilia collectors, as well as serious rare coin collectors.
Some of these rare, $20 Liberty gold pieces are designated for museums or permanent estate holdings. Many of our Austin Rare Coin collectors will put these away for decades passing them down from generation to generation.
Each $20 Liberty Comes With A Certificate of Authenticity
Due to the unique historical value you, and future owners, that this coin was a genuine part of the original S.S. Brother Jonathan shipwreck.
This is clearly a unique group of gold coins in all of American history. They combine the lure of the American West, a date from the Civil War era, and the wild west lure of the California Gold Rush Days. What’s more important is that they are preserved in Brilliant Uncirculated, mint condition after residing on the ocean floor for over 131 years! Now, you can own one of these lost national treasures during this exclusive release by Austin Rare Coins.
$20 Liberty Type I dated 1865 from the San Francisco Mint
Certified Authentic by P.C.G.S. or N.G.C. with the “S.S. Brother Jonathan” Pedigree designation sealed inside each holder to guarantee authenticity.
Questions? Call our Rare Coin Specialists at 1-800-928-6468
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