Three NGC-certified European Gold Coins Dominate Sale in Japan

Three gold coins certified by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation® (NGC®) dominated the Auction World sale held in Japan, April 17-18, 2021. These rarities, each bearing a European monarch, realized over six figures apiece.

Leading the auction was an England 1701 Plain Sceptres 5 Guineas graded NGC MS 63 (lot 3376) that realized 27.2 million Yen (about $250,000 USD). The obverse features William III of Orange, who reigned from 1694 to 1702. This guinea was struck a year before he died with no surviving children.

England 1701 Plain Sceptres 5 Guineas graded NGC MS 63 Realized 27.2 million Yen (about $250,000 USD) Click images to enlarge

Sharing the spotlight in the sale was a Hungary 1668KB 10 Ducats graded NGC MS 62★ (lot 3017). Realizing 26.6 million Yen (about $245,000 USD), this coin features Leopold I, who ruled from 1657 to 1705. It earned NGC’s Star (★) Designation for exceptional eye appeal.

Hungary 1668KB 10 Ducats graded NGC MS 62★ Realized 27.2 million Yen (about $250,000 USD) Click images to enlarge

Struck a few decades later, a Great Britain 1729 E.I.C. 5 Guineas graded NGC MS 63★ (lot 3388) realized 24.4 million Yen (about $224,000 USD). This 18^th century coin bears the portrait of George II, who ruled from 1727 to 1760. His reign was marked by political opposition and war, including the infamous Seven Years’ War that started in 1756.

Great Britain 1729 E.I.C. 5 Guineas graded NGC MS 63★ Realized 24.4 million Yen (about $224,000 USD) Click images to enlarge

Other NGC-certified highlights in the sale included:

• a Great Britain 1711 5 Guineas graded NGC AU 58 (lot 3384) that realized 15.5 million Yen (about $142,645 USD)
• a China 1994 12-ounce Gold 1,000 Yuan Panda graded NGC PF 69 Ultra Cameo (lot 1186) that realized 11.1 million Yen (about $102,000 USD)
• a Japan (1870) 20 Yen graded NGC MS 65 (lot 215) that realized 9.7 million Yen (about $89,000 USD)
• a Great Britain 1826 LVIII Crown graded NGC PF 61 (lot 3419) that realized 9.7 million Yen (about $89,000 USD)
• a Roman Imperatorial, Marc Antony and Octavian (41 BC) Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients AU★, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface (lot 1569) that realized 6.4 million Yen (about $59,000 USD)
• a Germany 1640 Bavaria 5 Ducat graded NGC MS 62 (lot 3203) that realized 4.9 million Yen (about $46,000 USD)
• a Kingdom of Macedon, Alexander III (336-323 BC) Gold Distater graded NGC Ancients XF, 5/5 Strike and 2/5 Surface (lot 1550) that realized 4.6 million Yen (about $43,000 USD)
• a Ceylon 1815 Silver Pattern Rixdollar graded NGC PF 64+ (lot 1053) that realized 4.4 million Yen (about $41,000 USD)

Prices realized include buyer's premium.