Realizing $192,000, Nobel Prize Joins List of Prestigious Medals Certified by NGC

A Nobel Prize certified by Numismatic Guaranty Company® (NGC®) has realized $192,000 in a Heritage Auctions sale of ancient and world rarities held August 15-17, 2024. The most-prestigious prize in the scientific community joins an impressive array of other medals certified by NGC's expert team.

The 2008 Nobel Prize Medal for Physiology or Medicine graded NGC MS 67 was awarded to Harald zur Hausen, a German cancer researcher who led a team of researchers in the 1980s that discovered a link between human papillomavirus and cancer. The medal is encapsulated in an NGC Oversize Holder because of its diameter of 66 mm (about 2.6 inches).

The Nobel Prize joins an impressive list of medals that NGC has certified over the years, including a Congressional Medal of Honor, Olympic Medals, a gold Robbins Medal that went to the moon with Neil Armstrong and a "Show Panda" that is among the largest medals ever made. Here are 10 amazing medals graded by NGC:

Roman Empire, Diocletian AD 284-305 Gold Medallion

Grade: NGC Ancients Ch AU★, 5/5 Strike and 5/5 Surface with Fine Style
Auction history: Realized $2,327,500 in a Classical Numismatic Group sale in January 2023
Quick facts: This gold medallion has the weight of 10 aurei and must have been struck for a very important person, perhaps even Emperor Diocletian himself.
Learn more and see a video: Gold Roman Medallion Certified by NGC Ancients Realizes $2.3 Million, a Record for a CNG Auction

1969 Apollo 11 Gold Robbins Medal

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Grade: NGC MS 67
Auction history: Realized $2,055,000 at a Heritage Auctions sale in July 2019
Quick facts: Only one Gold Robbins Medal was struck for each of the Apollo 11 astronauts, and this one was brought on the historic moon mission by Neil Armstrong. The obverse design, developed by Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins, was later used on Eisenhower and Susan B. Anthony Dollars.
Learn more: Neil Armstrong’s Apollo 11 Gold Medal, Certified by NGC and CAG, Realizes Over $2 Million

1936 Olympic Gold Medal in Basketball

Grade: NGC Genuine
Auction history: Realized $44,400 in a Heritage Auctions sale in February 2020 and then was promptly submitted to NGC for authentication
Quick facts: NGC has certified medals from various Olympics, including the first modern one held in Greece in 1896. The Olympic medal shown here is the first gold medal in basketball, which was introduced as an Olympic sport at the 1936 Summer Games in Berlin.
Learn more: NGC Certifies First Olympic Gold Medal for Basketball Ever Awarded

1781-dated Libertas Americana Silver Medal

Grade: NGC MS 64
Auction history: Realized $141,000 in April 2015
Quick facts: The Libertas Americana medals were struck in Paris to celebrate France's support for the American Revolution, which formally ended in 1783 with the Treaty of Paris. Benjamin Franklin is credited with the concept for the design, which includes Minerva (France) protecting the infant Hercules (the United States) from a lion (Great Britain).
Learn more: Heritage Auctions lot listing in April 23, 2015 sale

1793-dated Washington Peace Medal

Grade: NGC Genuine
Auction history: Realized $630,000 at an April 2021 Heritage Auctions sale
Quick facts: Few examples of the 1793-dated Washington Oval Peace Medal are in private hands, and this one was among the top highlights of the impressive Donald G. Partrick Collection. Struck in silver, this example measures just over 6 inches in height.
Learn more: Heritage Auctions lot listing in April 22, 2021 sale

Congressional Gold Medal Awarded to William Henry Harrison

Grade: NGC MS 60 PL
Auction history: Realized $600,000 at a Sedwick's auction in November 2023
Quick facts: This gold medal was awarded to William Henry Harrison, a general who led a decisive American incursion into Canada during the War of 1812. Harrison is probably best remembered for having the shortest tenure as US president; he served only for a month after being inaugurated in 1841 before dying.
Learn more: NGC-certified Harrison Gold Medal Realizes $600,000 in Sedwick Auction

Austria 1690 Gold Joseph I Coronation Medal

Grade: NGC MS 61 PL
Auction history: Realized $360,000 at a Heritage Auctions sale in March 2021
Quick facts: One of the top medals in the prestigious Paramount Collection, it was struck to celebrate the election of Joseph I at age 11 as King of the Romans in 1690; he became Holy Roman Empire after the death of his father, Leopold I, in 1705. With a diameter of 80 mm and a weight of more than a third of a kilogram, this piece was an excellent canvas for its masterful engraver.
Learn more: Heritage Auctions lot listing in March 25, 2021 sale

Iran (1900) Visit to Europe Gold Medal

Grade: NGC MS 65
Auction history: Realized 132,000 CHF (about $148,000) at a SINCONA sale in October 2023
Quick facts: This medal was designed by a renowned French sculptor and presented to Muzaffar ad-Din Shah Qajar, the Shah of Iran, during one of his three visits to Europe. It is one of the top highlights of the Kian Collection.
Learn more: Rare Iranian Coins and Medals Certified by NGC Offered in SINCONA Auction

Czechoslovakia 1929-dated St. Vitus Cathedral Medal

Grade: NGC MS 66
Auction history: Realized €130,000 (about $128,000) at a September 2022 auction
Quick facts: This gold medal was produced to commemorate the completion of St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague, which took nearly 600 years to build.
Learn more: NGC-certified Czechoslovakia Gold Medal Stars in Antium Aurum Sale

2018 Macau Numismatic Society 30th Anniversary Expo 5 Kilogram Gold Medal

Grade: NGC PF 70 Ultra Cameo
Auction history: None, but 5 kilograms of gold is worth about $400,000, as of August 2024
Quick facts: This is a Show Panda, a numismatic collectible issued by China to celebrate important numismatic conferences — in this case, the 2018 Macau Numismatic Society 30th Anniversary Expo. It is pedigreed to C.S. Wong, a notable Macau collector.
Learn more: NGC Certifies Massive Gold Pieces

Prices realized include buyer's premium. Conversions into dollars are based on the rate at the time of the auction.