1862 Double Eagle
NGC Graded MS-63

5055520-004

Gold coins ceased to circulate in most of the United States after 1861 and lasting until 1878. The new federal paper money issued at the onset of America's Civil War soon began to depreciate in relative value, as the notes were no longer redeemable in gold. The coining of that metal at the Philadelphia Mint thus declined rapidly, just 92,098 double eagles being produced there in 1862.

This choice specimen is a great rarity in the USA series. Nearly unknown in mint state condition before the recovery of S. S Republic's treasure, it remains a very elusive issue still. Typical of Philadelphia Mint coins of the 1861-65 period, this example reveals parallel striations in its fields, a consequence of the coining process itself. These in no way detract from the delightful appearance of this rare coin, which also features a couple of mint-made planchet irregularities.

Numismatic Conservation Services and Numismatic Guaranty Corporation have been awarded the exclusive contract to conserve and grade the thousands of coins being recovered from the 1865 shipwreck of S. S. Republic. These gold and silver coins are being brought to the surface by Odyssey Marine Exploration, Inc. of Tampa, Florida. Some of the highlights from this ongoing operation are featured here to showcase the work performed by NCS to professionally conserve these treasures and by NGC to certify and encapsulate them for longterm preservation.

CONSULT THE FOLLOWING WEBSITES FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT COINS AND THE WRECK OF THE S.S. REPUBLIC::

shipwreck.net
www.ngccoin.com
www.ncscoin.com
www.kagins.com
www.money.org

Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) rating for "outstanding eye appeal"