Unprecedented Cache of Superb California Fractional Gold Coins Discovered Aboard SS Central America Treasure

Jun 27, 2018 | Announcements

(Brea, California) June 26, 2018 – An amazing grouping of extraordinary quality California fractional gold coins were recovered during the latest mission to the fabled “Ship of Gold,” the SS Central America, that sank in 1857 on a voyage from Panama to New York City, according to the California Gold Marketing Group (CGMG) of Brea, California. Many of the coins are now the finest known.

“A total of 112 privately-minted, California Gold Rush fractional coins in denominations of 25 cents, 50 cents and $1 were retrieved from the Atlantic Ocean, and an unprecedented 54 of them now have been designated prooflike by Professional Coin Grading Service,” revealed Dwight Manley, CGMG managing partner.

One of the superb sunken treasure 50-cent fractional coins was graded PCGS MS68+PL.

Part of the finest group of its kind in history, this 1856 gold 50 cent coin (BG-311), now graded PCGS MS68+PL, was among 112 California fractional gold pieces recovered from the fabled “Ship of Gold,” the SS Central America.
Photo credit: Professional Coin Grading Service www.pcgs.com

“This is the finest known group of its kind in history. The condition of these coins is unrivaled, and for the first time ever PCGS has designated dozens as prooflike. It’s a true time capsule!,” exclaimed Manley. “More than 50 of the coins are finer than the previously known fractionals of their respective variety.”

The California fractionals were among more than 3,000 gold coins recovered in 2014 from the SS Central America but only recently examined in detail, cataloged by Breen-Gillio reference numbers and graded.

“In 2014, when we first saw these coins lying in the shipwreck’s debris field, I realized how it illustrated the importance of California fractional gold in the day-to-day commerce of 1857 California. For instance, 11 of these delightful little coins were mingled within one remarkable jumble of 264 pieces of gold currency: 236 U.S. gold coins of every denomination and 17 foreign gold coins,” said Bob Evans. He was the chief scientist on the 1980’s missions that first located and recovered a portion of the fabulous SS Central America treasure and then assisted with the 2014 recovery.

“As I curated these fabulous wonders under the microscope I was struck by both the crudeness of their manufacture and by the remarkable state of preservation, many of them looking as if a San Francisco jeweler had minted them yesterday. The dozens of prooflike specimens are truly stunning!,” Evans added.

Highlights of the discoveries include:

• 1856 25 cents (BG-111), graded PCGS MS68PL, and another of this variety is graded PCGS MS67+PL and two others are PCGS MS67PL;
• No date 25 cents (BG-224), PCGS MS66PL;
• 1853 50 cents (BG-302), the rare “Peacock” design on the reverse, PCGS MS64;
• 1856 50 cents (BG-307), PCGS MS66PL;
• 1856 50 cents (BG-311), PCGS MS68+PL, and two others of this variety are MS67PL;
• 1856 50 cents (BG-434), MS67+PL, and second one of this variety is PCGS MS67PL;
• 1855 $1 (BG-533), PCGS MS64PL.

Each of the PCGS-certified fractional gold coins now is encapsulated in specially-produced and labeled holders that contain a pinch of recovered SS Central America gold dust in a separate compartment. The insert label includes a statement of authenticity hand-signed by Evans.

“The SS Central America treasure is literally a historic and financial time machine, taking you back to the minds of the public during the California Gold Rush,” stated PCGS Co-Founder and Collectors Universe President David Hall.

“At one point as I looked at all of the fractional gold coins together it was almost a startling out of body experience for me. I imaged myself in a restaurant or a bar in 1857 as I wondered what a steak and beer would cost back then? Would I have to give them a 50-cent gold piece or a $1 gold piece? It was like being there in 1857,” recalled Hall.

In the coming weeks, additional highlights of the recently examined and certified treasure will be revealed. A complete inventory of U.S. and world coins and assayers’ ingots recovered in 2014 will be listed in an upcoming book, America’s Greatest Treasure Ship: The SS Central America, The Second Journey, by Q. David Bowers and Manley. It will be published by the California Gold Marketing Group later this year.

The SS Central America was a 280-foot long, three-masted side-wheel steamship carrying tons of California gold that had been shipped from San Francisco to Panama when she sank in a September 1857 hurricane during a voyage from Aspinwall (now Colón), Panama to New York City. The loss of the gold cargo was a major factor in the economically devastating financial panic of 1857 in the United States.

The California Gold Marketing Group LLC of Brea, California acquired the 2014 treasure from Ira Owen Kane, Receiver for Recovery Limited Partnership and Columbus Exploration, LLC in a court-approved transaction in November 2017. In 1999, the group acquired all of the available treasure that was recovered in the 1980s.

Early American Treasures In Lipton’s ANA World’s Fair of Money® Display

Jun 27, 2018 | Announcements

(Beverly Hills, California) June 26, 2018 — The only complete, four denominations set of the USA’s first proposed coins, the 1783 Nova Constellatio patterns, along with the finest known 1792 Birch cent and the only privately owned 1792 Eagle-on-Globe copper pattern quarter dollar will be publicly displayed for the first time together in their “birthplace,” Philadelphia.

The exhibit of these six historic, early American coins will be at the American Numismatic Association 2018 World’s Fair of Money® in Philadelphia, August 14-18. The unique display will be insured for $25 million, according to Kevin Lipton of Beverly Hills, California who proudly describes himself as the coins’ caretaker.

“In my opinion, the Nova Constellatio set of 5, 100, 500 and 1,000 unit denominations is the single most important numismatic item the United States ever made. It represents the birth of our coinage and our currency system as well as the beginning of the decimal monetary system in the western world,” said Lipton.

The one-of-a-kind set was in the famous Garrett Collection at Johns Hopkins University for much of the 20th century and was also owned by legendary dealer John J. Ford. Lipton is exhibiting it on behalf of one of his clients who acquired the exceptional set in 2008.

Nova Constellatio is Latin for “new constellation,” and the pattern coins were created at the urging of U.S. Superintendent of Finance and Declaration of Independence signer, Robert Morris, as proposed units of currency for the young United States. The coins were struck in Philadelphia in 1783 under authority of the U.S. Treasury Department.

The grades of the coins are: 5 units, PCGS PR66 BN; 100 units, PCGS PR66; 500 units, Type I, PCGS PR66; and 1,000 units, PCGS PR65+.

The 1792 Birch cent (Judd-4) is the finest of the seven known examples of the historic prototype large cent. It is graded NGC MS65 RB, was previously owned by David Rittenhouse, the first Director of the United States Mint, and later was also in the Garrett Collection.

The 1792 Eagle-on-Globe copper quarter dollar (Judd-12, Pollock 14) is graded PCGS MS63 brown and is the finer of the two known examples of this historic pattern believed to have been engraved by acclaimed early American painter Joseph Wright. The only other example of this coin is in the National Numismatic Collection at the Smithsonian Institution.

“The Nova Constellatio set, the Birch cent and the Eagle-on-Globe quarter dollar pattern are an immensely important part of early American history and the foundation of our numismatic heritage. I’m bringing them to their ‘hometown’ Philadelphia so everyone attending the ANA World’s Fair of Money can see them in person and appreciate their special significance,” said Lipton, President of Kevin Lipton Rare Coins, Inc.

For additional information about the ANA 2018 Philadelphia World’s Fair of Money, visit www.WorldsFairOfMoney.com.

Numismatic Crime Investigations Class for Law Enforcement to be Conducted During ANA World’s Fair of Money in Philadelphia

Jun 15, 2018 | Announcements

The Numismatic Crime Information Center will offer a one-day training class on “Numismatic Crime Investigations” for local, state and federal law enforcement officers during the ANA World’s Fair of Money August 14-18, 2018 in Philadelphia, PA.

The 8-hour class is designed to provide law-enforcement personnel, including patrol officers, detectives, investigators, and prosecutors, with the fundamental investigative techniques, knowledge, and understanding to respond effectively to the complex challenges encountered during a numismatic crime. The class will be held at the Pennsylvania Convention Center on August 16, 2018, from 8:30am-4:30pm and is free to law-enforcement personnel.

The objective is to provide investigative tools and resources to the law enforcement community during the investigation of a numismatic crime”, said Doug Davis Founder and President of the Numismatic Crime Information Center. In addition to classroom work, attendees will enhance their educational experience by walking the bourse floor and observing the many facets of the numismatic world.” The class is a collaborative effort between the Numismatic Crime Information Center and the American Numismatic Association, said Davis.

Topics to be covered in the one-day course include: types of coins, medals, tokens and paper money; factors effecting numismatic crime, especially as it relates to counterfeiting; precious metals, including new laws governing the purchase of such metals; crime scene evaluation; jurisdictional issues; EBay and postal crimes; organized crime groups and a look at the victims of numismatic crimes.

The education of law enforcement in the area of numismatic crime investigations is only one of several strategic initiatives of the Numismatic Crime Information Center. Additional information on the class can be obtained from Doug Davis at 817-723-7231 or Doug@numismaticcrimes.org.

The Numismatic Crime Information Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation whose mission is to serve as a national and international resource for collectors, dealers and law enforcement in the education, prevention and investigation of crimes involving coins, paper money, tokens, medals and related numismatic items. For further information contact Doug Davis at 817-723-7231 or NCIC P.O. Box 14080 Arlington, Texas 76094 or online at numismaticcrimes.org.