NGC-graded Ancient Coins Headline Chicago ANA Sale

NGC-graded world and ancient coins highlight Heritage Auctions’ first-ever World and Ancient Coins Platinum Night Auction. The sale, which will be held August 8 at the ANA’s World’s Fair of Money in Chicago, has a particularly strong selection of NGC-graded ancient coins.

Ancient coin collectors have increasingly turned to NGC for third-party authentication and grading. Of the 104 ancient coins in the Platinum Night auction, 84 have been graded by NGC.

Many of these NGC-certified ancient coins are from the Lexington Collection of Jonathan K. Kern. A professional numismatist from Kentucky, Kern set aside coins of the highest quality for his personal collection over the past few decades. All of the coins in the Lexington Collection have been graded and encapsulated by NGC.

“After the sale of the NGC-graded Part I of the Dimitriadis Collection this past April, it became clear that collectors were willing to pay a premium for the confidence added by NGC grading,” says Cris Bierrenbach, Heritage Auctions’ Executive Vice President of International Numismatics. “We have been encouraging many of our clients to submit their coins to NGC for grading in order to achieve the highest prices realized possible.”

“Jonathan Kern is one of the most astute numismatists in the country,” adds David Michaels, Director of Ancient Coins for Heritage Auctions. “When he decided to sell his personal collection, he knew that NGC grading would give them an extra boost.”

Among the most significant pieces in the Lexington Collection is a Greco-Bactrian Kingdom Eucratides I the Great (ca. 171-145 BC) gold stater. Graded NGC Gem MS 5/5 – 5/5, Fine Style, it is possibly the finest of only six known specimens.

Another important ancient coin from the Lexington Collection is the gold aureus of Claudius (AD 41-54) graded NGC Choice MS 5/5 – 5/5. This very rare specimen is one of the finest aurei of Claudius in existence.

In addition to the Lexington Collection, several other rare ancient coins will be sold in Heritage Auctions’ Platinum Night. The silver decadrachm from Syracuse, struck 405-367 BC, is considered by many to be a masterpiece of Ancient Greek numismatics and art. It is graded NGC Choice AU 5/5 – 5/5, Fine Style.

The sale also features a gold aureus of Augustus (AD 27 BC-AD 14) that is possibly unique. It is graded NGC Choice VF 5/5 – 2/5, Scuffs.

For more information and to bid visit the Heritage Auctions website, www.HA.com/3033