High-value Roman Coins Certified by NGC Ancients Offered in NAC Auction

Coins from two Roman emperors that have been certified by Numismatic Guaranty Company™ (NGC®) are expected to sell for over $100,000 in an upcoming sale. They are among dozens of coins certified by NGC Ancients in a pair of upcoming Numismatica Ars Classica auctions (Auction 131 and Auction 132) on May 29-30, 2022.

One of the top coins in the auctions is a Roman Empire Otho, AD 69 Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients Ch XF★, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface (Auction 132, lot 519). The second of four emperors to reign during a turbulent year for the Roman Empire, Otho ruled for only three months in early AD 69. This coin has an estimate of CHF 200,000 (about $200,000).

Roman Empire Otho, AD 69 Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients Ch XF★, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface Click image to enlarge.

The auction also features a rare coin struck over a century earlier for the man who later became the first Roman Emperor. The Roman Imperatorial Octavian, circa 43 BC Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients Ch XF, 3/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface (Auction 132, lot 463) has an estimate of CHF 125,000 (about $125,000).

Roman Imperatorial Octavian, circa 43 BC Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients Ch XF, 3/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface Click image to enlarge.

The coin was struck during the power struggle after the assassination of Julius Caesar in 44 BC. Octavian was on the winning side, and eventually became the first Roman Emperor, Augustus, in 27 BC. Like several other coins in the sale, NGC certified it with an NGC Photo Certificate, meaning it was not encapsulated in an NGC holder.

Other highlights in the auctions that were certified by NGC Ancients include:

• a Roman Empire Septimius Severus, AD 193-211 Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients Ch MS★, 5/5 Strike and 5/5 Surface with Fine Style (Auction 131, lot 57) with an estimate of CHF 80,000 (about $80,000)
• a Roman Empire Nerva, AD 96-98, Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients AU★, 5/5 Strike and 5/5 Surface (Auction 132, lot 531), with a starting price of CHF 50,000 (about $50,000)
• a Roman Empire Maximian, AD 286-310 Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients MS, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface with Fine Style (Auction 131, lot 123) with an estimate of CHF 40,000 (about $40,000)
• a Roman Empire Vitellius, AD 69 Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients Ch XF, 5/5 Strike and 3/5 Surface (Auction 132, lot 520), with a starting price of CHF 40,000 (about $40,000)
• a Roman Empire Numerian, 283-284 Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients Ch AU, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface (Auction 132, lot 608), with an estimate of CHF 40,000 (about $40,000)
• a Roman Empire Claudius, AD 41-54 Gold Aureus graded NGC AU, 5/5 Strike and 3/5 Surface (Auction 132, lot 504), with an estimate of CHF 35,000 (about $28,188)
• a Roman Empire Vespasian, AD 69-79 Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients MS, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface (Auction 132, lot 523), with an estimate of CHF 35,000 (about $35,000)
• a Roman Empire Commodus Augustus, 177-193 Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients Ch MS, 5/5 Strike and 5/5 Surface (Auction 132, lot 565), with an estimate of CHF 35,000 (about $35,000)

All starting prices provided by the auction house. The $ symbol represents US Dollars.