S.S. Andrea Doria Shipwreck Currency Italian 1000 Lire PCGS Genuine COMPLETE SET w/ Glass Display Case, COA, Paperwork & Box

S.S. Andrea Doria Shipwreck Currency | Italian 1000 Lire Banknote | PCGS Genuine Certified | Complete Set with Glass Display Case, Original COA, Paperwork & Collector's Box | Recovered from the 1956 Sinking

Genuine Italian 1000 Lire banknote recovered from the 1956 sinking of the S.S. Andrea Doria. Certified by PCGS Currency as Genuine. Offered as a COMPLETE SET including the original glass display case, all original certificates of authenticity, accompanying paperwork, and the original collector's box. A true museum-quality presentation of deep-sea maritime treasure.

This is an extraordinary opportunity to own a complete, historically documented artifact from one of the most famous shipwrecks of the 20th century. Offered here is an original Italian 1000 Lire banknote (Banca d'Italia, undated, 1947-1951 series) recovered from the sunken Italian ocean liner S.S. Andrea Doria. This is not a reproduction. It is a genuine, authenticated deep-sea treasure recovered from a depth of 250 feet after 25 years underwater.

What makes this offering truly unique is the complete presentation: the PCGS-certified note housed in its original glass display case, accompanied by ALL original certificates of authenticity, historical paperwork, and the original collector's box. This is the exact set as it was originally assembled and sold to the first owner – a true time capsule preserved for decades.

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What's Included – The Complete Set

• PCGS Certified Genuine 1000 Lire Banknote – Housed in official PCGS Currency tamper-resistant holder
• Original Glass Display Case – Custom-designed to showcase the note and its provenance
• Original Certificate of Authenticity – From the official Andrea Doria salvage/certification program
• Complete Historical Paperwork – Documentation of the shipwreck, salvage, and recovery
• Original Collector's Box – The complete set as originally sold to collectors

This is the complete, original package – not just the note, but the entire presentation as it was intended to be displayed and preserved.

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The S.S. Andrea Doria – A Tragic Maritime Legend

On the dark night of July 25, 1956, the 700-foot long, 30,000-ton Italian luxury liner S.S. Andrea Doria was sailing from Genoa, Italy to New York City. In heavy fog off the coast of Nantucket, Massachusetts, the Andrea Doria collided with the Swedish passenger liner Stockholm. The impact proved fatal. The Andrea Doria sank the following morning, claiming 52 lives while over 1,600 passengers and crew were rescued in one of history's most dramatic maritime evacuations.

The disaster has often been called the "Titanic of its time" – a tragic collision that sent a modern ocean liner to the bottom of the Atlantic, resting 250 feet beneath the surface.

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The Treasure Recovery – Peter Gimbel's Daring Salvage

On August 27, 1981, during Hurricane Dennis, marine explorer and department store heir Peter Gimbel and his team achieved the seemingly impossible. They recovered the Banco di Roma (Bank of Rome) safe from the submerged wreck, a 650-pound steel box that had rested on the ocean floor for 25 years.

When the safe was finally opened during a live television broadcast on August 3, 1984 – watched by millions worldwide – the contents were revealed: stacks of U.S. $1 Silver Certificates and Italian bank notes in 50, 100, and 1,000 Lire denominations. The passengers' jewelry and valuables, which had been the primary target of the salvage, were disappointingly absent (apparently removed by their owners prior to evacuation). But what remained was something unexpected – thousands of preserved currency notes, sealed in packets of mud and salt water for a quarter-century.

Gimbel and his wife, actress and diver Elga Andersen, subsequently preserved and sold some of the notes in specially-made Lucite holders. In 2006, Rare Coin Wholesalers acquired the remaining notes and submitted them to PCGS Currency for certification and inventory – the first-ever public accounting of the recovered Andrea Doria currency.

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The Glass Display Case – Museum-Quality Presentation

The included glass display case is a custom-made, museum-quality presentation piece specifically designed for this Andrea Doria shipwreck currency. The case features:

• Clear glass front and sides for unobstructed viewing of the note and its certification
• Felt-lined interior to protect the PCGS holder and prevent movement
• Professional presentation designed for shelf or wall display
• Protective enclosure that preserves the note while allowing full appreciation

This display case transforms the certified banknote from a collectible into a true conversation piece – a museum artifact ready to be hung on a wall or placed on a mantel.

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Original COA & Paperwork – Complete Provenance

The set includes ALL original certificates and paperwork, including:

• Certificate of Authenticity – Officially documenting the note's recovery from the S.S. Andrea Doria wreck
• Historical Documentation – Printed materials describing the shipwreck, the salvage operation, and the recovery process
• PCGS Information – Documentation regarding the 2006 certification and inventory
• Original Collector's Information – The complete informational packet as provided to the original owner

The presence of the complete original COA and paperwork is essential for serious collectors. Many Andrea Doria notes appear on the market without this documentation – this set includes it ALL.

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Original Collector's Box – The Complete Time Capsule

The entire set is housed in the original collector's box – the exact presentation packaging in which this set was originally sold and delivered. The box includes:

• Custom-sized compartments for the glass display case
• Original labeling and branding from the Andrea Doria currency program
• Protective storage that has preserved this set for decades
• The complete, original package – nothing missing, nothing added

For the collector who values completeness, the original box is irreplaceable. It represents the set exactly as it left the original distributor – a true time capsule.

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Key Details – The Banknote

• Country of Issue: Italy
• Denomination: 1000 Lire
• Issuing Bank: Banca d'Italia
• Series: Undated, 1947-1951 series (the type in general circulation in Italy in 1956)
• Grading Service: PCGS Currency
• Grade: Genuine
• Recovered From: S.S. Andrea Doria, sunk July 25, 1956 off Nantucket, Massachusetts
• Recovery Date: August 27, 1981 (safe recovered by Peter Gimbel)
• Certification Date: 2006 (PCGS Currency inventory)
• Provenance: Banco di Roma safe, recovered from Andrea Doria wreck

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Key Details – The Complete Set

• Glass Display Case: Included – museum-quality presentation case
• Original COA: Included – full certificate of authenticity
• Original Paperwork: Included – complete historical documentation
• Collector's Box: Included – original storage box
• Set Completeness: 100% original – nothing added, nothing missing
• Provenance: Unbroken chain from original sale to present

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PCGS Certification & Inventory – The Official Record

In 2006, PCGS Currency made history by conducting the first-ever public inventory of the recovered Andrea Doria bank notes. According to PCGS records:

• Total notes certified: 3,606
• U.S. $1 Silver Certificates: 2,726
• Italian Banca d'Italia notes (50, 100, 1,000 Lire): 878
• Italian 1,000 Lire notes (specific to this listing): a subset of the 878 total Italian notes

Each PCGS-certified Andrea Doria note is encapsulated in a tamper-resistant holder and includes a certificate of authenticity referencing the shipwreck provenance. This complete set expands on that certification with the original display case, paperwork, and collector's box.

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Condition & Authenticity – PCGS Genuine

This Italian 1000 Lire note exhibits characteristics consistent with 25 years of submersion in saltwater 250 feet below the Atlantic Ocean. The PCGS "Genuine" designation confirms that the note is authentic and originates from the Andrea Doria salvage, while acknowledging the environmental effects of deep-sea recovery.

Each note exhibits some degree of:

• Edge irregularities and staining consistent with long-term water immersion
• Saltwater toning and paper texture changes
• Unique preservation history – no two notes are identical

These characteristics are not considered defects. They are the hallmarks of authenticity for a genuine shipwreck artifact and are expected by collectors of deep-sea treasure.

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Why This Complete Set is Extraordinary

Unmatched Completeness: Most Andrea Doria notes offered for sale are sold as single notes in PCGS holders only. This set includes the original glass display case, original COA, complete paperwork, and original collector's box – everything that came with the set when it was first sold. For the serious collector or museum curator, this completeness is essential.

Museum-Ready Display: The glass display case allows immediate, professional presentation. No additional framing or mounting is required. This set can be placed on a shelf, mounted on a wall, or displayed in a glass cabinet as soon as it arrives.

Documentation Included: The original COA and paperwork provide an unbroken chain of authenticity. These documents tell the story of the Andrea Doria – from the 1956 collision to the 1981 salvage to the 2006 PCGS certification. Having these documents with the note adds historical depth and value.

The Andrea Doria Name: The S.S. Andrea Doria is one of the most famous shipwrecks in maritime history. Unlike the Titanic (which claimed over 1,500 lives), the Andrea Doria is remembered for the dramatic rescue of over 1,600 passengers – the largest peacetime maritime rescue in history. The ship's name alone commands recognition and respect.

Limited Survivors: Of the estimated hundreds of millions of Italian banknotes printed in the 1940s-1950s, only 878 Italian notes of any denomination were recovered from the Andrea Doria safe. Your 1000 Lire note is one of a very select group of verified deep-sea recoveries.

Cross-Collector Appeal: This complete set appeals to multiple collecting disciplines:

• Shipwreck and maritime history collectors
• Italian banknote specialists
• World currency collectors seeking authenticated treasure
• Collectors of "disaster memorabilia" (Titanic, Lusitania, Andrea Doria)
• Museum and institutional buyers seeking display-ready artifacts

The Gimbel Story: The salvage of the Andrea Doria safe by Peter Gimbel – documented in the book and film "The Andrea Doria: The Final Chapter" – adds another layer of historical interest. This note is not just a recovered object; it is part of one of the most daring deep-sea salvage operations ever attempted, conducted during a hurricane.

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Provenance & Chain of Custody

• Original Owner: Banco di Roma safe contents (traveler's currency and bank reserves)
• Recovery Team: Peter Gimbel and team, August 27, 1981
• Safe Opening: Live television broadcast, August 3, 1984
• Preservation: Gimbel and Elga Andersen (original Lucite holders)
• Certification: PCGS Currency, 2006
• Complete Set Assembly: Original distributor (glass case, COA, paperwork, box)
• Current Offering: [Your Store Name]

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Why Buy the Complete Set vs. a Single Note?

Feature	Single PCGS Note (Typical Offering)	This Complete Set
PCGS Certified Note	✓ Included	✓ Included
Glass Display Case	✗ Not included	✓ Included
Original Certificate of Authenticity	✗ Not included	✓ Included
Historical Paperwork	✗ Not included	✓ Included
Original Collector's Box	✗ Not included	✓ Included
Ready to Display Immediately	✗ Requires separate framing	✓ Yes
Museum-Quality Presentation	No	✓ Yes

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Authenticity Guarantee

Please review all photos carefully. The images show the exact complete set you will receive – including the PCGS-certified note, glass display case, original COA, complete paperwork, and original collector's box. This set is guaranteed genuine and original – an authentic Italian 1000 Lire banknote recovered from the S.S. Andrea Doria shipwreck, certified by PCGS Currency as Genuine. If proven otherwise, a full refund will be provided. High‑resolution photos are considered part of the description.

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Shipping & Payment

Due to the inclusion of the glass display case and collector's box, this set will be shipped with exceptional care:

• Double-boxed for maximum protection
• Plenty of padding around the glass display case
• Full insurance covering the complete set's value
• Signature confirmation required upon delivery
• International shipping is available upon request (additional charges may apply)

Please contact us with any questions before purchasing. We are happy to provide additional photographs of the complete set upon request.

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This complete set is sold as shown. Serious inquiries and reasonable offers are welcome. A PCGS-certified Italian 1000 Lire note from the legendary Andrea Doria shipwreck – complete with glass display case, original COA, paperwork, and collector's box. A museum-quality maritime treasure with impeccable provenance, ready for immediate display.