The SS Central America Shipwreck Gold Bar Faceplate

The SS Central America Shipwreck

The SS Central America sank in a hurricane off the coast of the Carolinas. The ship was en route from Panama to New York, carrying passengers and gold. Over 400 lives were lost, and the ship's sinking caused a financial panic. The shipwreck remained lost for over a century until its discovery in the late 20th century. The recovery of the ship’s treasure provided a unique glimpse into the California Gold Rush era.

The Original Gold Bar and Its Faceplate

The original gold bar, crafted by Kellogg and Humbert, was meticulously cut to create the 17-ounce faceplate. The bar's original weight was 239 ounces, making it a significant piece of gold. None of these original gold rush ingots were known to survive before the shipwreck’s recovery. Over the years, they had been melted down for their gold content. The faceplates were cut from 60 different Kellogg & Humbert gold ingots. These faceplates are now highly collectible due to their historical significance.