Two NGC-certified Greek Coins Each Realize Six Figures

Two rare Greek coins certified by Numismatic Guaranty Company™ (NGC®) each realized over $100,000 in a recent Morton & Eden auction. They were among dozens of rare coins graded by NGC in the London-based auction house’s Auction 118, held on July 20, 2022.

The top coin in the auction was a 1915 Gold Essai 2 Drachmai graded NGC PF 64 (lot 1147). This coin is believed to be the only known example of its kind, according to the auction house. It was struck for Constantine I, who ruled for periods 1913 to 1917 and again from 1920 to 1922. It realized £144,000 (about $175,300).

Greece 1915 Gold Essai 2 Drachmai graded NGC PF 64. Realized: £144,000 (about $175,300) Click images to enlarge.

Another top coin was an 1869 Gold Essai 20 Drachmai graded NGC PF 65 Cameo (lot 1145). The obverse features King George I, the father of Constantine I who ruled Greece from 1863 until his assassination in 1913. Only two examples of this coin are recorded in the NGC Census; this is the finer of the two. The coin realized £120,000 (about $146,100).

Greece 1869 Gold Essai 20 Drachmai graded NGC PF 65 Cameo. Realized: £120,000 (about $146,100) Click images to enlarge.

Other NGC-certified highlights in the auction included:

• a Mormon 1849 $5 graded NGC XF 45 (lot 1250), which realized £24,000 (about $29,200)
• a Norris, Gregg & Norris 1849 Reeded Edge $5 graded NGC AU 58 (lot 1245), which realized £21,600 (about $26,300)
• a Greece 1846 Drachma graded NGC MS 63 (lot 1141), which realized £19,200 (about $23,400)
• a US 1799 $5 graded NGC AU 55 (lot 1221), which realized £15,000 (about $18,300)
• a US 1836 Gobrecht Silver Dollar graded NGC PF 58 (lot 1258), which realized £14,400 (about $17,500)
• a US 1798 Large Eagle Large 8 $5 with 13 Stars on Reverse graded NGC AU 53 (lot 1220), which realized £14,400 (about $17,500)

Prices realized include buyer’s premium. The $ symbol represents US Dollars.