Extremely Rare Italian ‘Aratrice’ Set Featured in London Sale

A wide-ranging selection of more than 200 ancient and modern coins certified by Numismatic Guaranty Company™ (NGC®) is being offered in a sale by Harmers of London in Auction 2: Ancient, Modern Coins and Banknotes. Online bidding has already begun for the auction, which takes place September 27, 2021.

The highlight of the sale is an extremely rare set of four NGC-certified Italian gold coins minted in 1926 to honor King Victor Emmanuel III, who ruled the Kingdom of Italy from 1900 through 1946. Only 40 of each coin, ranging in denominations from 10 Lire to 100 Lire, were minted to include in the sets, which were intended for numismatic collectors. The set of four coins (lot 521) has an estimate of £175,000 (about $241,000 USD).

The Italy 1926R Lire Set includes four gold “aratrice” coins with grades ranging from NGC MS 64 to NGC MS 65+ Click images to enlarge.

Each coin in the set features on the obverse a uniformed bust of King Victor Emmanuel III and on the reverse a plowwoman, or “aratrice,” designed by Egidio Boninsegna and engraved by Luigi Giorgi, chief engraver of the Royal Mint of Rome. The aratrice is meant to function as an allegoric representation of agricultural Italy. The set includes the following:

• an Italy 1926R Gold 100 Lire graded NGC MS 64
• an Italy 1926R Gold 50 Lire graded NGC MS 64
• an Italy 1926R Gold 20 Lire graded NGC MS 65+
• an Italy 1926R Gold 10 Lira graded NGC MS 64+

Another NGC-certified rarity being featured in the sale is a Great Britain 1820 Gold Pattern 2 Sovereign graded NGC PF 62+ (lot 249) with an estimate of £30,000 (about $41,400 USD). Also called a Double Sovereign, only about 60 of these coins were issued. Featuring George III wearing a laurel crown on the obverse and Benedetto Pistrucci's magnificent rendition of Saint George slaying the dragon on the reverse, the rarities were created for George III to celebrate his 60^th year as king.

Great Britain 1820 Gold Pattern 2 Sovereign graded NGC PF 62+ Click images to enlarge.

Other NGC-certified highlights in the sale include:

• a Great Britain 1826 5 Sovereigns graded NGC PF 60 Cameo (lot 255) with an estimate of £35,000 (about $48,000 USD)
• a Great Britain 1825 Gold Pattern 2 Sovereigns graded NGC PF 63+ Ultra Cameo (lot 257) with an estimate of £25,000 (about $34,400 USD)
• a Switzerland 1925B Gold 100 Franc graded NGC MS 63+ (lot 677) with an estimate of £12,000 (about $16,500 USD)
• a Roman Empire, Severus Alexander A.D. 222-235 Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients MS, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface (lot 136) with an estimate of £10,000 (about $13,800 USD)
• a Roman Empire, Severus Alexander A.D. 222-235 Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients MS, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface (lot 156) with an estimate of £10,000 (about $13,800 USD)
• a Roman Empire, Maximian A.D. 286-310 Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients XF, 5/5 Strike and 3/5 Surface (lot 159) with an estimate of £8,000 (about $11,000 USD)
• a Great Britain 1847 Un Decimo Crown, Gothic Type graded NGC PF 61 (lot 274) with an estimate of £8,000 (about $11,000 USD)

All estimates provided by the auction house.