NGC-graded Australian Rarities Realize Six Figures Each in Heritage Sale

Two Australian rarities certified by Numismatic Guaranty Company™ (NGC®) topped the NYINC World & Ancient Coins Platinum Session and Signature Auction held by Heritage Auctions on January 9, 2023. In total, an incredible 18 NGC-graded numismatic rarities each realized over $100,000, and 17 of the top 20 lots in the sale were NGC-certified, emphasizing the strength of NGC’s world coin grading program.

Topping this sale was an Australia Undated Adelaide Assay Gold Ingot graded NGC MS 63 (lot 32123) that realized $540,000, far outpacing its pre-auction estimate of $200,000 to $300,000. During the Australian Gold Rush, South Australia's capital, Adelaide, boasted a Government Assay Office. This particular ingot is one of Australia's most fascinating numismatic pieces, and it once resided in the elite collections of King Farouk and Virgil Brand.

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Also finishing strong was an Australia 1853 Sovereign graded NGC PF 63 Ultra Cameo (lot 32138) that realized $312,000. This coin was struck to celebrate the United Kingdom establishing its first mint outside of Great Britain in Sydney. This coin is believed to be the only example in private hands, with three others residing in museums.

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From elsewhere in the world, an extremely rare Great Britain 1933 Penny graded NGC MS 63 BN and pedigreed as the St. Mary's example (lot 32230) realized $240,000 in the auction. A global economic downturn led the Royal Mint to suspend production of new pennies for circulation in 1933. But the mint did strike at least seven coins because it was a tradition to bury coins under the foundation stone of newly constructed public buildings of prominence. Of those seven examples, two are now in museums, one remains in the ground and one was stolen, leaving a mere three examples available to the collecting community.

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Other NGC-certified coins in this auction included:

• a Netherlands 1682 Gold Zeeland Rijksdaalder graded NGC PF 64+ (lot 32276) that realized $264,000
• an Austria 1709 Salzburg 25 Ducat graded NGC MS 61 (lot 32143) that realized $264,000
• an England 1705 5 Guineas graded NGC MS 61 (lot 32202) that realized $264,000
• a Great Britain 1714/1 5 Guineas graded NGC MS 62 PL (lot 32203) that realized $252,000
• an Australia 1852 Adelaide Pound - Beaded Inner Circle graded NGC MS 62 (lot 32125) that realized $228,000
• a Great Britain 1768 Gold Pattern 2 Guineas graded NGC PF 65★ Cameo (lot 32214) that realized $216,000
• an Australia 1853 Gold Pattern Half Sovereign graded NGC PF 62 Ultra Cameo (lot 32128) that realized $204,000
• an Australia 1855 Half Sovereign graded NGC PF 66★ Cameo (lot 32129) that realized $168,000
• a Netherlands 1686 Gold Zeeland Delm-896 1RD graded NGC PF 62 (lot 32277) that realized $168,000
• an Australia 1852 Adelaide Pound - Beaded Inner Circle graded NGC MS 61 (lot 32126) that realized $168,000
• a Great Britain 1937 Edward VIII Nickel-Brass 3 Pence graded NGC MS 64 (lot 32235) that realized $144,000
• an Australia 1856 Half Sovereign – Plain Edge graded NGC PF 65+ Ultra Cameo (lot 32130) that realized $144,000
• a Poland 1586/5 Lithuania Ducat graded NGC MS 61 (lot 32280) that realized $144,000

Prices realized include a buyer’s premium.