20 year search for the perfect S.S central American 20 for my collection

fishteeth

When your favorite dealer, John from Silicon Valley coins (goes by coin lieutenant on the pcgs boards), calls and tells me he has a special coin for my collection I always get excited.
I have been searching for an 1857-s 20 lib from the S.S Central America for years. Ever since I saw the ship of gold display at long Beach in 1999 or 2000. Back then I was a kid who could barely afford the parking at the convention, but ever since I have wanted one of these 20 libs.
I have looked at hundreds of these trying to find the right coin. These come really nice but often the ones that call out to me are in 65 and 66 holders and priced at multiples of a nice 63 or4. I had seen photos of nice 64s and knew if I searched hard enough and was patient I would find a 64 that had the right look. Finally the right one showed up in my mailbox tonight.
There is a reason john (Coinlieutenant) is the only person who, when he tells me he has a special coin for me , I get really excited.
Many of my best coins have come through his connections.

As for the coin I think you would be really hard pressed to find a nicer ms64. Anyone else have some S.S.central American relics to post.

MFeld

Congratulations, both on your patience and your splendid acquisition.

Smudge

Strong 64. Congrats.

Walkerfan

Wow, that looks really smooth and lustrous.

BIG Congrats!!

20 years is a LONG TIME!!

pcgscacgold

Very nice. I picked this up 64+ CAC from Minshull Trading right as COVID hit. At some point I may try for a 65CAC from the first group. It is nice to have a dealer watching out for you. I am working to build a relationship like that. Trueviews are not great but it is all that I have.

willy

That’s a very nice 64

Floridafacelifter

I love the shipwreck story and am actively seeking the right one for myself as well! Congratulations on a beautiful coin!

david3142

I admire your patience and it absolutely paid off. That is a stunning coin with beautiful surfaces, luster, and color. I have a hard time understanding the 64 grade. I’m sure it was not typical 64 money but probably still a great deal for the eye appeal.

PeakRarities

That sure is one specimen of a 64! Congrats on the new member of your collection. Just like pcgscacgold, I’m a little bit envious, the only coin dealer that calls me tries to peddle overpriced cat turds…

DelawareDoons

It's tough to find a nicer 64 because that's not a 64 as far as I can see from the pics.

Great coin, great acquisition.

2windy2fish

Lovely coin and Congrats on a grand purchase! Someday perhaps i will find a SS Central America coin for my “Box of 20” …I am a bit of a history buff and heavily involved in the salvage business…i strongly recommend reading The Ship of Gold by Kinder…Historical novel that will truly endear the reader with the plight of the folks returning from the California Gold rush..

golden

A really nice and cool coin.

pmh1nic

Congratulations on a nice find. A beautiful piece of numismatic history.

ricko

@fishteeth ... That is a real beauty.... Still plenty of luster. Obviously CAC puts it in the upper tier of grade. Cheers, RickO

erwindoc

I have had one of those on my radar in the same grade! You coin is exceptional! Thanks for sharing!!!

ctf_error_coins

Nice big fish from the ocean

CaptHenway

A very pleasing coin. Congratulations!

VegasDan

Super Cool/Awesome!

oih82w8

That's a reaaaaly nice one!

jesbroken

Your patience certainly paid off. Great pickup. Congrats. Quite a beautiful coin.
Jim

conrad99

A dream-come-true coin for sure. Congrats!

pcgscacgold

I reread your last sentence to verify you wanted others to post coins from the shipwreck. Surprised there aren’t any others out there. I can’t be the only one with a coin to add.

TomB

That looks like a gorgeous example, regardless of the grade! It's also always good to know some folks who will have your back, as well. Congratulations on the acquisition and the patience.

SIowhand

Wonderful coin.

coinlieutenant

@fishteeth Thank you for the kind words. I have genuinely loved helping you build your collection over time. We've been at this for 13 years now! Hard to believe.

This coin was a real creampuff. Gorgeous and glad you got it.

John
Silicon Valley Coins

lordmarcovan

Wow. Just WOW! Even without the famous shipwreck pedigree, that one stands out!

SethChandler

What a great looking coin. PCAC64 is the ultimate value grade for this year. Smart buy.

John Marburger is my favorite coin dealer.

Barberian

@SethChandler said:
What a great looking coin. PCAC64 is the ultimate value grade for this year. Smart buy.

John Marburger is my favorite coin dealer.

He charges a lot for shipping, though...

Barberian

John quickly corrected the mistake, though...

Perfect timing!
I'm starting to get ready to sell some coins and have been recording eBay purchase billing emails to an Excel spread sheet for the entire day. I came upon this bill from Coin Lieutenant from 15 years ago, puzzled over it for a moment, made the copy above, and then figured it most have been a mistake. Sure enough, two Ebay bills later, I found this corrected bill. Then, a few hours later, I read this thread and couldn't resist the troll. Sorry Coin Lieutenant.

John and I bumped into each other in an eBay auction long ago and we've had very nice PM discussions about seated Liberty halves and the variety of very choice coins he owns and sells. It's funny to me that I see this thread hours after puzzling over the obviously erroneous bill.

Sorry for spoiling the celebration over this really nice double eagle recovered from the S.S. Central America. Congrats over the nice purchase!

jclovescoins

Wow! Nice coin

dhikewhitney

I like it; you did well.

coinlieutenant

@Barberian , that is funny.

What you didnt point out is that you ordered 1 day shipping with the gold and pearl inlay presentation box, along with a 10 year no questions asked warranty.

Seemed cheap.

johnny9434

Beautiful coin. I'd be very happy with that purchase

LJenkins11

Great coin @fishteeth, here are my relics.

Barberian

@LJenkins11 Wow! What a neat set of coins! Both coins are gorgeous, including the 55-S which is hard to find in nice undamaged condition. Who knew one had to locate a 150-year-old shipwreck to find a nice one.

TheGoonies1985

Great looking coin congrats!!!

justindan

Awesome pickup and a killer 64! It's hard to believe what role that shipwreck caused in the panic of 1857.

asheland

Splendid coin! I would be proud to own that one and I’m pretty picky myself. 👍

No Headlights

John is a great person to deal with. Buying or selling, he is a top-notch dealer.

oreville

I also bought a 1857-S SSCA $20 in PCGS MS-65 in the middle of the covid pandemic , in early 2021.

I bought it subject to it receiving CAC approval. JA loved the fabulous luster as much as I did and stickered it immediately even though I thought it had more serious bag marks on the neck and nose/mouth with equal amount on the cheek versus your lovely coin. I also searched 20 years for this high grade coin as well although I did previously buy a PCGS/CAC AU-58 one years ago for very cheap.

You did very well indeed. A virtual twin to my MS-65. Congrats! Your coin is borderline gold sticker candidate and should be premium priced. Mine was priced at a slight discount due to my thoughts of my coin.

coinlieutenant did great for you.

I was not impressed with the other original PCGS gold foil labeled MS-65 and hated the MS-66 and MS-67 ones out there so you could not do better.

My coin photo. It was purchased right here on this B/S/T board.

oreville

.

Waterpig267

I was fortunate enough to pick this one up some time ago.