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 Replies: 16 / Views: 4,161 |
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Valued Member
United States
247 Posts |
Just received this novelty in the mail today. It is a Seated half dollar that was recovered from the "SS-Republic" in August of 2003 after spending 138 years in the Atlantic in 1700' of water since October 25, 1865 when the steamer had sunk in a hurricane 100 miles off the coast of Savannah, Georgia. There was a reported $400,000 in gold and silver on board on her voyage from New York to New Orleans. The coins were being sent to aid the reconstruction movement in the post civil war. Most of the coins recovered (some 51,000) saw little to no circulation. Any opinions as to a details grade? The coin also has four errant 8's. Two in the rock just below Liberty's skirt, and two more in the denticles below the 8's in the date.     Edited by Finn70
03/05/2021 11:20 am
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Very high AU, I'm guessing. Most attractive.
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Valued Member
 United States
247 Posts |
Despite being in 1700 feet of saltwater for the past 138 years there is still luster remaining in the folds of her skirt and within the eagles feathers as well. The fields are matte and you especially can see the "shipwreck effect" from Liberty's foot up to the last 3 stars on the obverse. I am absolutely happy with this purchase!
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Pillar of the Community
 United States
5680 Posts |
Interesting history, and remarkably well preserved for sitting in salt water for over 100 years. Guess there's not much oxygen at the bottom of the ocean. Agree with high AU at a minimum.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
2342 Posts |
Like the history lesson as well as the coin!
I'll go with high AU as well.
Thanks for sharing!
smat
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
18706 Posts |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
36845 Posts |
AU-58 details, great piece of history.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4680 Posts |
Pretty amazing this has held up that well. Very cool piece!
I'd say AU Details as well. Wouldn't be surprised if they called it UNC Details.
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4680 Posts |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
9794 Posts |
UNC Details "Improperly Cleaned" Very neat coin.
"Buy the Book Before You Buy the Coin" - Aaron R. Feldman - "And read it" - Me 2013! ANA Life Member #3288 in good standing since 1981, ANS, Early American Coppers Member (EAC), Colonial Coin Collectors Club member (C4), Conder Token Collector Club member (CTCC), Civil War Token Society (CWTS) member, Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC) & Numismatic Bibliomania Society member (NBS), USMex, Member in good standing, 2¢ variety collector. See my want page: http://goccf.com/t/140440 |
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
@Finn70 - Can you share the results?
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Valued Member
United States
247 Posts |
Sorry if I was misleading, but I was just asking for grading opinions on the coin that I had presented. The slab that I had pictured in the original posting, did not receive a official grade designation by NGC due to its unique status. I appreciate all your comments! I personally believe this is in Mint State grade (details due to the sea salt porosity), AU-58 at worst.
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Bedrock of the Community
United States
94367 Posts |
Got it, thanks.  |
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Pillar of the Community
United States
4680 Posts |
Huh, wasn't aware they do not designate a grade on these. Could have sworn I've seen these with numerical/details grades.
Cool piece Finn!
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Pillar of the Community
United States
9794 Posts |
Quote:
Huh, wasn't aware they do not designate a grade on these. Could have sworn I've seen these with numerical/details grades. Every one I've seen has the same description I posted on the label, that's why I went with it. Would like to see the label with out the edit on it, to know for sure. But I did look up this date and found around a dozen slabbed and sold with the label saying: UNC Details "Improperly Cleaned" from NGC Conservation/NGC Coin Grading service. Sometimes I'll see "Shipwreck Effect" also instead of "Improperly Cleaned" "Buy the Book Before You Buy the Coin" - Aaron R. Feldman - "And read it" - Me 2013! ANA Life Member #3288 in good standing since 1981, ANS, Early American Coppers Member (EAC), Colonial Coin Collectors Club member (C4), Conder Token Collector Club member (CTCC), Civil War Token Society (CWTS) member, Liberty Seated Collectors Club (LSCC) & Numismatic Bibliomania Society member (NBS), USMex, Member in good standing, 2¢ variety collector. See my want page: http://goccf.com/t/140440Edited by westcoin
03/10/2021 11:38 am
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Valued Member
United States
247 Posts |
I bought this example from an online dealer that has been in the business for over 50 years. They had 4 Seated halves available at the time, a 58, 2 58-O and a 59-O that was a bit higher in price. They all came in a book-like presentation pictured below. All the pieces were slabbed by NGC and were labeled "shipwreck effect". I chose the most interesting example (for me at least) with the repunched 8's. I was pleasantly surprised in the coins condition. In fact the divers reported that many of the coins recovered were still in their crates, neatly stacked just as they were when the ship had left the harbor. An interesting conversation piece to say the least. @WC: I only edited the bar code and serial number on my original pic. No grade was given on the slab, details or otherwise. Thank you for your input!  Edited by Finn70
03/10/2021 5:47 pm
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Replies: 16 / Views: 4,161 |
Posted 03/05/2021 12:12 am
