Coin collectors may already know the story of the SS Republic, a side-wheel steamer sunk by a hurricane off Georgia’s coast in 1865, and only recently discovered by Odyssey Marine Exploration. The recovery of that $75 million treasure of gold and silver coins (pages 40-41) grabbed headlines worldwide. Lesser known, but perhaps even more fascinating, was the other cargo the SS Republic carried…everyday items that open a window to life in the Civil War era. Many of the other artifacts recovered were bottles, which survived the hurricane and shipwreck unbroken. From hair tonics to writing inks, fruit preserves to perfumes to patent medicines, the cargo of bottled goods aboard the Republic represented a remarkable time capsule of consumer goods widely used in the 1860s.

Based on the incredible response from Stauer customers to SS Republic coins, we’ve convinced Odyssey to open their historic bottle inventory to you. We now have a limited number of SS Republic green medicine/bitters bottles, each 13" tall and presented on a wood display stand. No two are exactly alike—some hold sand, coral or remnants of a cork, and some display a beautiful iridescence from their time in the deep ocean. Delicately recovered from the shipwreck site by Odyssey’s deep-ocean robot, this historic treasure can now be yours. Shipwreck bottles from less famous wrecks have sold for thousands at auction. For a limited time, you can own this SS Republic bottle at this special Stauer price. Each bottle also includes a full color booklet about the SS Republic, a DVD of the National Geographic documentary detailing the ship’s history and incredible treasure recovery, and a Certificate of Authenticity. Each artifact is individually numbered and eligible for submission to the SS Republic artifact registry.