NGC-certified Sovereign Realizes $795,000 in Heritage Sale

Three English rarities certified by Numismatic Guaranty Company® (NGC®) realized more than $400,000 in a recent Heritage Auctions sale, with a Sovereign commissioned by King Henry VII of England fetching nearly $800,000. The trio of English rarities were among 22 NGC-graded coins that each realized six figures in the ANA World & Ancient Coins Platinum Session and Signature Auction on August 17, 2023.

The top lot was the England 1492 Henry VII Gold Sovereign graded NGC AU 50 (lot 31158), which realized $795,000, well above its $500,000 pre-auction estimate. The Royal Mint re-acquired this rarity hundreds of years after it originally struck the coin, which celebrates King Henry VII's reign that began in 1485 at the end of the Wars of the Roses. The historical significance of the coin cannot be understated since the Sovereign is directly connected to both The Royal Mint's original location at the Tower of London and the first Tudor king's reign.

England (1492) Sovereign of Henry VII graded NGC AU 50 Click images to enlarge.

In addition, two examples of the Great Britain 1839 Una and the Lion 5 Sovereign each realized more than $400,000, including one graded NGC PF 64 Ultra Cameo (lot 31213) that realized $420,000. For decades, coin collectors have admired this British rarity due to its ties to the monarchy and its appealing design. The stunning coin depicts the bust of a young Queen Victoria on the obverse and the famous allegorical depiction of the queen as Una guiding a lion on the reverse, which represents Great Britain.

Great Britain 1839 Una and the Lion 5 Sovereign graded NGC PF 64 Ultra Cameo Click images to enlarge.

Other NGC-certified coins that sold for six figures in this auction included:

• a Great Britain 1839 Una and the Lion 5 Sovereign graded NGC PF 63+ Ultra Cameo (lot 31214) that realized $408,000
• an England 1643 Charles I Triple Unite graded NGC MS 64 and pedigreed to the Gilhousen Collection (lot 31171) that realized $240,000
• a Japan M9(1876) 20 Yen graded NGC MS 64 DPL (lot 31254) that realized $198,000
• a France 1832 Gold Piefort Essai 5 Francs graded NGC PF 64 Ultra Cameo and pedigreed to the Paramount Collection (lot 31119) that realized $192,020
• a France 1870A 100 Francs graded NGC AU 53 (lot 31121) that realized $192,000
• a Great Britain 2019 Una and the Lion 2 Kilogram Gold 2,000 Pounds graded NGC Proof 69 Ultra Cameo (lot 31231) that realized $192,000
• a Germany (1749) Regensburg 8 Ducat graded NGC MS 61 (lot 31145) that realized $168,000
• a Great Britain 1819 Sovereign graded NGC VF 30 (lot 31195) that realized $156,000
• a Bosporus, Panticapaeum (c.340-320 BC) Gold Stater graded NGC Ancients MS, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface with Fine Style (lot 31015) that realized $144,000
• a Great Britain 1713 5 Guineas graded NGC MS 61 (lot 31186) that realized $144,000
• a Germany 1739 Bavaria 10 Ducat graded NGC AU 58 and pedigreed to the Paramount Collection (lot 31132) that realized $132,000
• a France 1894A Gold 100 Francs graded NGC MS 64★ (lot 31124) that realized $132,000
• a Roman Empire Claudius, AD 41-54 Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients MS★, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface (lot 31043) that realized $132,000
• a Great Britain 1709 5 Guineas graded NGC AU 58+ (lot 31184) that realized $132,000
• a Germany 1661 Munster 6 Ducat graded NGC MS 63+ (lot 31140) that realized $114,000
• a Ptolemaic Kingdom, Ptolemy I (323-282 BC) Gold Stater graded NGC Ancients Ch AU★, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface (lot 31032) that realized $108,000
• a Spain 1895(95) PGV 5 Pesetas graded NGC SP 62 and pedigreed as the Calico Plate coin (lot 31287) that realized $108,000
• a Germany 1698 Nurnberg 6 Ducat graded NGC MS 62+ (lot 31141) that realized $108,000
• a Colombia 1755NR 8 Escudos graded NGC XF 45 (lot 31095) that realized $102,000
• an Ireland (1646) Gold "Ormonde" Pistole graded NGC XF 45 (lot 31238) that realized $102,000

Prices realized include buyer’s premium.