1838 Coronet Eagle
NGC Graded AU-58

5055546-007

1838 was the first year of Christian Gobrecht's new Coronet Head of Liberty, and it debuted on the gold eagle. This familiar portrait was adapted to the lesser gold denominations over the next couple of years, and it was even used in modified form on the cents of 1839-57. This exact portrait appeared on the eagle only in 1838-39 before Liberty had her hair restyled midway through 1839. It is thus a two-year-only type coin and in constant demand from type collectors.

A mere 7,200 eagles were coined in 1838, and this date remains rare in any grade. That a choice, nearly uncirculated example would be found among the treasure recovered from S. S. Republic is nothing short of amazing. NGC has certified only two pieces finer (as of April 2004).

This fabulous coin is well struck and free of serious marks. As minted, its fields were deeply prooflike, though some of this surface has been diminished through contact with other coins. Where the fields are protected by elements of the design this prooflike brilliance is simply delightful. This is a very important rarity in its own right, but it is especially desirable as a historic memento of S. S. Republic.

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