THE FINEST OF ONLY FOUR CHARLOTTE HALF EAGLES RECOVERED FROM THE S.S.CENTRAL AMERICA SHIPWRECK

Small numbers of Southern branch mint gold coins were found on the S.S. Central America and it assumed that the were from the passengers as the cargo was focused on San Francisco issues dated 1855 through 1857. There were just four Charlotte half eagles found and the present example is by far the best; the next highest graded graded were a pair of PCGS VF35's (1840-C and 1852-C).

As a date, the 1855-C is a rare issue in higher grades with not many known above AU55 to AU58. I believe that there are are no more than five or six known in Uncirculated.

This coin appears undergraded by today's standards and in my opinion, it is at least an AU58 if not an MS61. It is well struck and reflective with non-granular surfaces and a near-complete amount of mint luster on both sides. Since its last auction appearance (see below), some toning has developedon the obverse at 5:00 and 11:00 and across much of the lower reverse and STAT in STATES.

This piece has been off the market since late 2000 and it represents a real prize for the shipwreck collector seeking the finest and/or the most unusual specimens from the world-famous SSCA wreck.

CAC has approved five in AU55 with three finer; these figures are, of course, for non-shipwreck coins.

Ex Christie's 12/00: 43 where it sold for $6,900.