1853 Seated Liberty Dime PCGS AU-50 SS Central America

Recovered from the wreck of the SS Central America, this 1853 Seated Liberty Dime with Arrows carries one of the most storied provenances in American numismatics. The "Ship of Gold" sank in a hurricane off the Carolina coast in September 1857, taking with it a fortune in California gold and the coins that circulated alongside it. This dime, certified by PCGS and accompanied by a pinch of original California gold dust recovered from the same wreck, represents a direct connection to the California Gold Rush era.

The obverse presents the familiar figure of Liberty seated on a rock, her left hand grasping a striped shield inscribed LIBERTY and her right hand holding a pole topped by a Liberty cap. Thirteen stars encircle the design, and the date 1853 appears at the base; the Arrows variety - indicated by small arrowheads flanking the date - marks the congressionally mandated weight reduction of that year. The reverse displays the bold ONE DIME legend enclosed within a laurel wreath, with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA surrounding the periphery, showing strong device definition throughout.

PCGS grades this example AU-50, reflecting light friction on the highest points with considerable original mint luster still evident in the fields. The Arrows designation is historically significant, tying this coin to the economic pressures of the Gold Rush period when rising silver prices prompted Congress to reduce the dime's weight. As a shipwreck coin with original California gold dust from Bob Evans, Chief Scientist of the SS Central America recovery project, this piece offers provenance that no ordinary example can match. For those seeking a historically resonant and thoroughly documented relic of the Gold Rush age, this dime is a compelling acquisition. The coin pictured is the exact coin you will receive.

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