NGC-certified Petition Crown Realizes Nearly $1 Million in Heritage Auction

A rare Petition Crown dating to the 17th century and certified by Numismatic Guaranty Company® (NGC®) realized nearly $1 million in a recent Heritage Auctions sale. Meanwhile, a dozen other NGC-certified lots also realized six figures in the NYINC Platinum Session World & Ancient Coins Signature Auction on January 8, 2024.

Topping the auction was an England 1663 Petition Crown graded NGC MS 62 (lot 31155), which realized $960,000. Fewer than 20 examples of the Petition Crown are believed to exist, and seven are held in museums and other institutions. The coins were created by renowned engraver Thomas Simon to persuade King Charles II to appoint him as Chief Engraver. The petition was unsuccessful, but their masterful work establishes these coins among England’s most celebrated. This is the second-highest graded of only three examples in the NGC Census.

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Another highlight of the auction was an England 1257 Gold Penny of Henry III graded NGC UNC Details (lot 31139), which realized $504,000. One of King Henry III’s most remarkable endeavors during his 56-year reign was an attempt to introduce a gold currency. However, the experiment was unsuccessful and most of the Gold Pennies were melted down. Today, their history and rarity make this one of the most desirable coins in English numismatics. This example is one of only two in the NGC Census.

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“The opportunity to purchase a Petition Crown or a Gold Penny isn’t something that happens very often,” said Ben Wengel, Senior Grading Finalizer of World Coins for NGC. “In this auction, collectors clearly bid with confidence, knowing that the authenticity and grade of these incredibly rare coins are backed by the NGC Guarantee.”

Other NGC-certified coins in this auction included:

• a Romania 1868 Gold Pattern 20 Lei graded NGC PF 62 Ultra Cameo (lot 31252), which realized $336,000
• a Great Britain 1887 Gold Pattern 5 Shillings - Spink & Son Issue graded NGC PF 65+ Ultra Cameo (lot 31180), which realized $264,000
• a Great Britain 1817 Three Graces Silver Pattern Crown graded NGC PF 63 Cameo (lot 31166), which realized $210,000
• a Russia 1836CNB Gold Pattern 10 Roubles graded NGC MS 62 (lot 31258), which realized $204,000
• a Great Britain 2019 2 Kilogram Gold 2,000 Pounds - Una and the Lion Trial Piece with Hallmarks graded NGC PF 69 Ultra Cameo (lot 31200), which realized $168,000
• a Russia 1836 1.5 Roubles - Imperial Family graded NGC MS 63 (lot 31257), which realized $156,000
• a Great Britain 1773 Gold Pattern 2 Guineas graded NGC PF 64 Cameo (lot 31169), which realized $144,000
• an England 1656 Broad - Cromwell graded NGC PF 63 Cameo and pedigreed to the Thomas H. Law Collection (lot 31153), which realized $138,000
• A three-piece set of Greece 1876A gold coins that includes a 20 Drachmai graded NGC SP 66 Cameo, a 10 Drachmai graded NGC SP 65 and a 5 Drachmai graded NGC SP 67 Cameo (lot 31202), which realized $132,000
• an England 1344 Florin - Edward III graded NGC UNC Details (lot 31140), which realized $132,000
• a Roman Imperatorial Marc Antony and Lucius Antonius 41 BC Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients Ch XF, 5/5 Strike and 2/5 Surface (lot 31046), which realized $114,000
• a Lydia Croesus 561-546 BC Heavy Series Gold Stater graded NGC Ancients MS★, 5/5 Strike and 5/5 Surface (lot 31029), which realized $96,000
• an England 1665 Gold Pattern Farthing graded NGC PF 62+ (lot 31154), which realized $90,000
• a Byzantine Empire Alexander AD 912-913 Gold Solidus graded NGC Ancients AU, 5/5 Strike and 3/5 Surface (lot 31069), which realized $90,000

Prices realized include a buyer’s premium.