Two French Rarities Certified by NGC Realize More than $250,000 Each in MDC Monaco Auction

Several European rarities certified by Numismatic Guaranty Company® (NGC®) were among the top highlights in MDC Monaco's Numismatic Auction 13: Ancient and World Coins sale on October 12-13, 2023. In total, 12 NGC-certified coins each realized six figures in the sale.

The top NGC-certified lot was a France 1640A 8 Louis d'Or graded NGC MS 61 and pedigreed to The Paramount Collection (lot 1560), which realized €312,000 (about $330,000). This gold coin was created as a homage piece to the King of France, Louis XIII. The front of the rarity depicts an effigy of the king, who reigned from 1610 to 1643. This particular example is the finest of five in the NGC Census.

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Meanwhile, another French rarity from the same astounding collection was also a highlight of the auction: a France L'An 10A Gold 5 Francs graded NGC PF 62 Cameo and pedigreed to The Paramount Collection (lot 1779). It realized €264,000 (about $279,000). The coin's obverse depicts a full-length image of Hercules standing between Liberty and Equality, which is an allegorical image that stands for union and strength. The reverse features a crown made from an oak branch and an olive branch, representing the new French Republic. The example is the lone graded coin of its catalog number in the NGC Census.

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Other NGC-certified highlights in this sale included:

• a Great Britain 1935 Crown – Gold Off-metal Strike graded NGC PF 66 Ultra Cameo (lot 2198), which realized €192,000 (about $203,000)
• an England 1692 5 Guineas graded NGC MS 63 (lot 2133), which realized €192,000 (about $203,000)
• a France 1740A Gold Ecu graded NGC PF 62 (lot 1704), which realized €180,000 (about $190,000)
• a Greece 1915 Essai Gold 2 Drachmai graded NGC PF 64 (lot 2210), which realized €180,000 (about $190,000)
• a France 1786A Gold Ecu Essai graded NGC UNC Details and pedigreed to the Paramount Collection (lot 1721), which realized €144,000 (about $152,000)
• a Germany 1640 Bavaria 5 Ducat graded NGC MS 64 (lot 1188), which realized €132,000 (about $139,000)
• a Roman Empire, Constans (AD 337-350) Gold Medallion graded NGC Ancients MS, 5/5 Strike and 3/5 Surface (lot 1140), which realized €120,000 (about $127,000)
• an England 1656 Broad graded NGC MS 63+ PL (lot 2132), which realized €120,000 (about $127,000)
• a Sicily, Syracuse (317-289 B.C.) 100 or 50-Litrai graded NGC Ancients Ch AU★, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface with Fine Style (lot 1010), which realized €108,000 (about $114,000)
• a France 1640A 4 Louis d’Or graded NGC AU Details (lot 1562), which realized €96,000 (about $101,000)

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