1849 $20 CENTRAL AMERICA COMMEMORATIVE

Introducing the 1849 Type I Double Eagle SS Central America Commemorative Restrike

The discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill in 1848 ignited the California Gold Rush, one of the most transformative events in American history. As thousands of fortune seekers flooded into the West, vast quantities of gold were unearthed, forever altering the national economy. The influx of raw gold created a critical need for a higher denomination coin to facilitate large transactions and absorb the growing supply of bullion entering the U.S. Mint.

In response, Congress passed the Act of March 3, 1849, authorizing the creation of a bold new $20 gold coin—dubbed the Double Eagle. That same year, the U.S. Mint struck two coins as prototypes: the 1849 $20 Liberty Head Double Eagle. Designed by Chief Engraver James B. Longacre, the obverse featured a classical Liberty crowned with a coronet, while the reverse displayed a majestic heraldic eagle—emblems of American strength and aspiration.

Never released into circulation, there is but a lone known specimen preserved by the Mint as a pattern coin and now resides in the Smithsonian Institution's National Numismatic Collection. It is widely regarded as the most valuable coin in existence with notable experts placing its value of more than $25 million—not just for its extreme rarity, but for its profound historical significance.

But the story doesn't end there.

In 1857, the SS Central America, a steamship carrying tons of freshly minted coins and gold monetary ingots from the California Gold Rush, sank in a hurricane 200 miles off the Carolina coast—taking with it over 400 lives and a fortune in gold. This tragic loss contributed to a national financial panic called the Panic of 1857 and became one of the most infamous shipwrecks in American history.

Over a century later, co-discoverers Bob Evans and Tommy Thompson located the wreck and recovered an astonishing cache of Gold Rush treasure dubbed The Greatest Treasure Found by Life Magazine—including the very ingots mined from California's golden hills. These rare, pristine ingots created a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to honor one of numismatics' most legendary coins.

In 2025, gold from the SS Central America was used to create a series of extraordinary restrikes of the 1849 $20 Liberty Double Eagle. Struck in both Specimen Proof-Like, to look like the Smithsonian specimen, and an ultra-limited Proof Deep Cameo finish, these commemorative masterpieces pay tribute to the original coin, the California Gold Rush, and the dramatic maritime legacy of the Ship of Gold.

Today, these hugely popular coins are known as the Type I Double Eagle, and they stand as one of the most beloved coins in U.S. numismatics. In fact, seven different dates from the series are listed among the 100 Greatest U.S. Coins—more than any other coin series. This speaks volumes about its popularity and prestige.

Finest Known founder Adam Crum—a leading expert on the California Gold Rush, Type I Double Eagles, and shipwreck coins—partnered with world renowned master engraver Ron Landis to bring these restrikes to life. The result is a breathtaking fusion of history, artistry, and gold, capturing the soul of America's golden age.

Now, for the first time, collectors and history enthusiasts can own a tangible piece of this epic saga. These SS Central America 1849 Double Eagle commemorative coins—struck in authentic California Gold Rush gold recovered from the ocean floor—are available in stunning Specimen Proof-Like and ultra-premium Proof Deep Cameo finishes. Each coin is a museum-worthy piece of numismatic art.

Whether you're a seasoned numismatist or newly inspired by the romance of the Gold Rush, this is your chance to own a true piece of American history—crafted from gold that once slept on the ocean floor, now reborn in honor of one of the most iconic coins ever minted, the 1849 Type I Double Eagle.

To read the complete article, see:
1849 $20 SS CENTRAL AMERICA GOLD 1 OZ – .9999 PURE GOLD RESTRIKE PCGS GOLD LABEL SP68 (finestknown.com/product/1849-20-ss-central-america-gold-1-oz-9999-pure-gold-restrike-pcgs-gold-label-sp68/)

Baldwin 1857/0 $10 Vaquero Reproduction by Ron Landis

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
MORE ON RON LANDIS : 1857 $10 Vaquero Reproduction (https://www.coinbooks.org/v28/esylum_v28n26a08.html)

2001 $50 Kellogg Restrikes by Ron Landis and his Gallery Mint

To read the earlier E-Sylum article, see:
S.S. CENTRAL AMERICA COMMEMORATIVE RESTRIKE CLUES (https://www.coinbooks.org/esylum_v18n19a37.html)

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