1865-S $20 Liberty Gold SS Republic Small S NGC MS-61

The SS Republic shipwreck coins rank among the most historically compelling treasures ever recovered from the deep, and this 1865-S $20 Liberty Gold piece is a direct link to that dramatic chapter of American history. Struck at the San Francisco Mint in 1865, the coin sailed aboard the Republic before the vessel sank in a hurricane off the Georgia coast later that year. The "Small S" designation identifies a scarcer die variety, adding an extra layer of numismatic interest to an already remarkable coin.

The obverse presents the classic Coronet Liberty head facing left, her hair elegantly coiled and her coronet inscribed LIBERTY, surrounded by thirteen six-pointed stars and dated 1865 below. The portrait shows bold relief and a warm, rich orange-gold color characteristic of San Francisco Mint issues of this era. The reverse features a spread eagle with shield on its breast, clutching an olive branch and arrows, with UNITED STATES OF AMERICA arcing above and TWENTY D. below, with the Small S mint mark visible beneath the eagle.

NGC has certified this coin MS-61, reflecting original mint luster beneath the characteristic contact marks expected at this grade level. The surfaces display the vivid golden color and remaining cartwheel luster that make shipwreck-recovered Liberty gold pieces so appealing to collectors. As a certified SS Republic coin, it carries the added provenance of one of American numismatics' most celebrated recovery projects, drawing interest from both gold coin specialists and shipwreck enthusiasts. For those seeking a historic, certified pre-1933 gold double eagle with genuine shipwreck provenance, this coin offers a compelling and unusual opportunity. The coin pictured is the exact coin you will receive.

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