Don't Go Down with the Ship! Post a Coin with a Shipwreck Theme.

GeorgeKellogg

To borrow a verse from the U. S. Navy Hymn, this post is "for those in peril on the sea." In light of the recent Italian cruise ship tragedy, as well as the approach of the hundredth anniversary of the sinking of the RMS Titanic, post a photo of a coin with a connection to a maritime disaster.

My offering is an 1852-D half eagle recovered from the SS Central America, one of only 3 Dahlonega coins with the PCGS gold foil SSCA label. BTW, I also have all of the original SSCA presentation materials, in which the slab resides. It is one of only 5 Dahlonega coins recovered from the wreck (the other 2 were auctioned as uncertified coins).

This piece has an especially compelling story: It is probable that the coin contains gold from the California fields, as over 68% of all of the gold deposited in 1852 at the Dahlonega Mint came from the Golden State. Consider that the coin was minted in Georgia (probably with gold from California), was carried to San Francisco, and was on board the SS Central America when it sank in September 1857. It is interesting to note that the coin could go from Mint State to Choice Very Fine in a span of just 5 years (discounting, of course, any wear that the piece suffered while in its nautical tomb).

The photograph is courtesy of forum member Todd Pollock (BluCC Photos).

QuarterCollector

GRANDAM

My Step-Fathers Mother's Dad went down on The Titanic.

Back in the early 1980's,,,,, must have been about 1984 early winter The Star Magazine came out to our house and wrote up an article about it as my Step-Grandmother was applying for US Citizenship and this story broke and The Star got ahold of it and wrote it up.

She finally got her citizenship before she died

GrandAm

johnny9434

i lived in a boarding house many many years ago where one of the previous owners died on the titanic. amazing history to that old place

GeorgeKellogg

Thanks for the interesting Titanic stories! Come on guys, there must be more shipwreck-related coins out there.

magikbilly

I posted a thread here (should come up on search) when I saw the 50C a dealer I used to know hit action. It was Barber from Titanic herself. Not recovered, but saved on the night. I have seen a good deal of the Stuff from Titanic in person including the Big Piece per-restoration. I was able to touch a lot too, hull fragment, lifeboat davit and so on. The delicate paper stuff is impressive to see, stamps, letters, postcards etc. All depends on where stored - like in tanned leather.

Best,
Eric

ricko

Very nice gold ... Cheers, RickO

BillJones

Here are the only two coins I have that I know came from shipwreck salvage.

This 1857-S double eagle came in a plain MS-65 NGC holder, but we all know by the condition that it came off the SS Central America.




And this 8 reale cob was rescued from the wreck of the Vergulde Draeck off the coast of Australia.

Pistareen

Here's a piece from my favorite wreck, the HMS Feversham, which loaded up on small change from a British subtreasury in New York City in 1711 and sank a few weeks later, leaving us an intact time capsule of the silver coins circulating in New York pocket change from the era.






This piece was plugged to bring it up to proper weight, probably in Massachusetts in the 1682-1705 timeframe. The wreck included lots of Spanish-American cobs, Massachusetts silver like Pine Trees and Oak Trees, and Lion dollars. Just a handful of plugged cobs like this were found.

RYK

Hey, Bro,

How about a BroJo piece?

kaz

Don't have a picture of a coin from a shipwreck, just a picture of a shipwreck on a coin (token).

BloodMan

GeorgeK--Very interesting coin and story.


It is interesting to note that the coin could go from Mint State to Choice Very Fine in a span of just 5 years

I suspect it received some of the wear on its way back to California.

BloodMan

1856-S $20 PCGS AU58 S.S. Central America 17N No Serif, Hi Right S SSCA 6049.

In general, I do not find the toning and coloration attractive on most double eagles recovered from the S.S. Central America, however, I did like this AU58 example, especially for the minimal hits and abrasions.

Goldberg described the coin as “A beautiful fully lustrous specimen with a touch golden toning. Definitely a Premium Quality specimen! In a special gold foil PCGS holder.”

dtkk49a

Wow those SS Central America coins are just incredible !

AnkurJ

This medal was rewarded by President Grover Cleavland in 1885 to Captain Guenberg of the German ship Ceres for his rescue of the crew of the Josie M Anderson. The ship, Josie M Anderson, departed from Perth Amboy, NJ and was going to Port Royal, South Carolina.

Here is an article from the New York Times about the sinking of the ship and the rescue:
Rescued in Midocean

And here is an article about President Cleavland presenting multiple awards to Captain Guenberg:
Notes from the Capital

And of course the medal which I hope will remain in my family for many many generations to come.

RYK

<< <i>Wow those SS Central America coins are just incredible ! >>



Not all of them

MsMorrisine

none for me


I spilled all my coins overboard as I accidentally fell into a lifeboat and couldn't get out.

magikbilly

Hi All,

I don't know if everyone knows this story:

"Before he left, he gave my grandfather and his older brother 2 pennies and said, 'Don't spend those until I see you again.' And with that, he boarded Titanic thinking he would see them in a few months time. Unfortunately, that was the last time that little family was together."

But Susie's grandfather held on to those 2 pennies. In addition to those coins and pictures, the exhibit at Titanic Pigeon Forge holds the compensation fund letter from the National Disaster Relief Fund.

A year ago, Susie decided to share the family's story with the world in book titled, "The 2 Pennies, A True Story from the Titanic."

The whole story with video, pics of the pennies and of Thomas Millar:
The Pennies from Titanic

Best,
Eric