POPULAR 1865-S $20 FROM THE SSCA BROTHER JONATHAN SHIPWRECK, GRADED MS62 BY PCGS AND APPROVED BY CAC

Coin #40

Slightly more than 550 double eagles dated 1865-S were salvaged from the wreck of the famous SS Brother Jonathan which sunk off the cost of far Northern California on July 30th, 1865. 140 years later, it remains the single worst maritime disaster in the history of California with more than 200 lives lost.

This is a choice example for both the date and the grade. Unlike many of the “Bro Jo” coins, it is not dull and there is no haze from improper conservation. Since the coin remains in its original holder (it was slabbed in 1999) the new owner will be assured that the surfaces will not change.This is an important consideration as there are a number of 1865-S double eagles from this shipwreck that show a detracting chemical haze ; the result of improper rinsing after they were conserved. On the cheek of Liberty there is a small, shallow rectangular strikethrough which is mint-made and a small gash on the the throat.

Since the beginning of 2018 there have been just two APR’s for PCGS/CAC MS62 1865-S double eagles with the more recent of the two for $14,400 as Stacks Bowers 11/2024: 3193. In my opinion, the example I am offering here is decidedly nicer.

A neat coin and a great addition to a Type one double eagle set.

CAC has approved nine in this grade with 65 finer.

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