1857-S $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle “S.S. Central America” – Spiked Shield Variety – PCGS MS66

The 1857-S Liberty Head Double Eagle is one of the most celebrated gold coins in American history, indelibly tied to the sinking of the S.S. Central America—the legendary “Ship of Gold.” In September 1857, the side-wheel steamer went down in a hurricane off the coast of the Carolinas while carrying tons of freshly minted San Francisco gold destined for New York banks. The loss contributed to the financial Panic of 1857 and symbolized both the triumph and peril of the California Gold Rush. When the wreck was finally located and recovered more than 130 years later, its cargo yielded a breathtaking time capsule of mid-19th-century U.S. gold coinage.

Designed by James B. Longacre, the obverse depicts Liberty wearing a coronet inscribed LIBERTY, encircled by thirteen stars with the date below. The reverse showcases a magnificently detailed heraldic eagle clutching arrows and an olive branch, beneath a halo of thirteen stars and rays. The “Spiked Shield” die variety—diagnosed by a die line rising from the top of the shield—adds further desirability for advanced specialists. Each design element reflects the optimism and artistry of the Gold Rush era and the industrial craftsmanship of the newly established San Francisco Mint.

This specimen ranks among the finest known from the wreck, certified MS66 by PCGS with glowing original luster and exceptional strike definition throughout. The coin displays fiery orange-gold color and frosty mint brilliance, with virtually pristine surfaces. A very small number of 1857-S Double Eagles reached this superb-gem level, making this piece a true highlight within the Central America recoveries. Its eye appeal and preservation are the result of the coin’s century-long rest in the silt-sealed hull of the ship, where oxygen and corrosion never reached it.

Representing the perfect fusion of history, beauty, and condition, this 1857-S Double Eagle is more than just a coin—it’s an artifact of America’s Golden Age. For collectors and investors alike, it offers a rare opportunity to own an unparalleled relic of the Gold Rush and one of the most famous treasure recoveries of all time.

The coin pictured is the exact coin you will receive.