1865-S Liberty Head Double Eagle. Brother Jonathan 686. MS-63 (PCGS).This is a delightful double eagle with both sides boldly to fully struck and an overall smooth, satin to softly frosted texture. Deep rose-gold color on both sides provides additional appeal. Watch this one go! Such pieces are not often available today, as most owners hold on to them tightly.<p>On Sunday, July 30, 1865, the S.S. <em>Brother Jonathan</em> ran into an uncharted rock during a gale and sank off the coast near Crescent City, California, taking with it 219 people and a substantial golden treasure. In the 1990s, Deep Sea Research, Inc. located the wreck and in a series of exploration dives salvaged 1,207 coins, most of which were 1865-S double eagles. Prior to the discovery, Mint State survivors of this issue were extremely rare. More than 600 of the coins from the S.S. <em>Brother Jonathan</em> treasure are uncirculated, however, realigning the 1865-S as one of the more available Type I Liberty Head double eagles in Mint State. Since these coins were fist sold at auction in 1999, they have been popular with high grade gold type collectors and double eagle enthusiasts, as well as with collectors of shipwreck treasure. Fully Choice in quality with strong visual appeal, the present example is sure to please.PCGS# 8944. NGC ID: 269V.From our (Bowers and Merena) Sale of the S.S. Brother Jonathan Treasure Coins, May 1999, lot 651.
