NGC-certified Ancient Roman Coin and Nobel Prize Medal Each Realize Six Figures in Heritage Sale

More than 800 ancient and world coins certified by Numismatic Guaranty Company® (NGC®) were offered in a recent Heritage Auctions sale. The auction house's ANA World & Ancient Coins Platinum Session and Signature Auction #3118 was held on August 15-17, 2024.

The top NGC-certified highlight in the auction was a Roman Empire, Maximinus I AD 235-238 Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients Ch XF★, 5/5 Strike and 3/5 Surface (lot 33077) that realized $408,000. Featuring the bust of Emperor Maximinus I, the ancient rarity was struck during his rule of only three years. The depiction of the Roman goddess of well-being on the reverse stands in stark contrast to his fate: He was murdered, like a string of emperors who immediately preceded him. Only four examples of this coin have gone to auction in the last two decades, according to the auction house.

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Another highlight of the sale was a 2008 Nobel Prize Medal for Physiology or Medicine graded NGC MS 67 (lot 33252), which realized $192,000. This prestigious prize 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. It joins a stunning list of medals certified by NGC, including Olympic Medals, Robbins Medals, Libertas Americana Medals and a Congressional Gold Medal. (To learn more about these medals, click here.)

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Other NGC-certified highlights in the auction included:

• an England 1692 5 Guineas graded NGC MS 63 (lot 33165) that realized $204,000
• a France 1740A Gold Ecu graded NGC PF 62 and pedigreed to The Paramount Collection (lot 33119) that realized $180,000
• a Roman Empire, Vespasian AD 69-79 Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients MS, 5/5 Strike and 2/5 Surface (lot 33058) that realized $168,000
• a Germany (1679) Hamburg 10 Ducat graded NGC MS 63 (lot 33135) that realized $102,000
• a Germany 1835 Bavaria Gold Taler (1903 Gold Ferrari Issue) graded NGC MS 63 (lot 33132) that realized $93,600
• a Germany 1640 Bavaria 5 Ducat graded NGC MS 64 (lot 33131) that realized $84,000
• a Sicily, Siculo-Punic c.264-260 BC Silver 5 Shekels graded NGC Ancients XF, 5/5 Strike and 3/5 Surface with Fine Style (lot 33007) that realized $81,000
• a Great Britain 1826 5 Pounds graded NGC PF 62 Cameo (lot 33177) that realized $78,000
• an England (1600-01) 8 Testerns graded NGC MS 61 (lot 33157) that realized $78,000
• a Zeugitana, Carthage c.270-260 BC Gold Trihemistater graded NGC Ancients Ch AU★, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface with Fine Style (lot 33008) that realized $78,000

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