The most important treasure ever found was that of the S.S. Central America. Lost in the Atlantic on September 12, 1857, the ship went down with several hundred passengers and about $1.6 million in United States gold coins and ingots from the Gold Rush, in an era in which gold was valued at $20.67 per ounce. No greater or more important American numismatic treasure will ever be found, as no greater treasure was ever lost!

   In the 1980s the Columbus-America Discovery Group, led by Tommy Thompson and Bob Evans, located the wreck of the S.S. Central America in 7,200 feet of water far off the coast of North Carolina, and in 1999, the treasure was made available. On behalf of investors, Dwight Manley formed the California Gold Marketing Group (CGMG) to sell the treasure, comprising over 5,000 freshly minted 1857-S double eagles, nearly 500 gold ingots from Gold Rush assayers, and other coins somewhat over 6,000 items in all.

   In 2000 a special "Ship of Gold" exhibit was the prime attraction at the ANA Convention and other venues as viewers saw the treasures first-hand. Beth Deisher, editor of Coin World, called the Central America gold "the story of the year." Excitement was everywhere!

   In the meantime a close associate of the CGMG was given his first choice to buy any ingot before CGMG offered them elsewhere. He picked the unique Harris & Marchand gold bar attributed to Marysville, California. After this, all the ingots and coins were sold; today the aftermarket for the gold treasure is dynamic, and purchasers can bask in the warm glow of the appreciation of value.

   In 2004 this unique ingot and other S.S. Central America highlights, plus a rich assortment of coins and artifacts, went on a grand tour titled GOLD! This traveling exhibit drew visitors from New York City to Tokyo, with stops in between. The GOLD! world tour ended in Chicago in March 2011, having been viewed by millions. Now the owner of ingot No. 7095, having owned it since 2000, has decided to let someone else share the pleasure and has consigned it to Stack's Bowers Galleries.

   Never before has this unique ingot been offered for public sale. The fortunate owner will be the only person who has the possibility of building a set of the seven different ingot varieties! Needless to say, once sold this opportunity may not recur in the lifetime of anyone living today.