The sidewheel steamer SS Central America left Panama on route to New York on September 3rd 1857. On Sept 9th the seas were rough and by the next day a full fledged hurricane had developed. After battling the sea for days the ship succumbed and sank in 8,000 feet of water, carrying with it a king's ransom in gold. Though many were bravely rescued by the nearby brig "Marine", some 419 people perished in the tragedy. The ship was discovered in 1987 along with the treasure it took with it. The reverse of this 1/4 ounce silver commemorative medallion shows the ship about to flounder and the obverse features a miner panning for gold. An actual piece of placer (panned) gold recovered from the ship can be found in the miners pan! Each medallion is certified by Global Certification Service and includes a picture of the ship as well as information about the ship and its fate.