Three Roman Gold Rarities Certified by NGC Ancients Each Realize Prices Over $100,000

Three ancient Roman gold rarities certified by Numismatic Guaranty Company™ (NGC®) realized prices over $100,000 in a sale by Switzerland-based Numismatica Genevensis SA. They were offered alongside dozens of such rarities spanning about 400 years of Roman history, with coinage from Julius Caesar through Constantius II. Auction 13 concluded on November 15, 2021.

The centerpiece of the sale was a rarity commemorating Emperor Constantius II, who helped unite the eastern and western parts of the empire after it was divided following the death of his father. This Roman Empire, Constantius II (A.D. 337-361) 2 Solidi Gold Medallion graded NGC Ancients Ch AU, 5/5 Strike and 3/5 Surface with Fine Style (lot 100) realized CHF 181,500 (about $197,000).

Roman Empire, Constantius II (A.D. 337-361) 2 Aurei Gold Medallion graded NGC Ancients Ch AU, 5/5 Strike and 3/5 Surface with Fine Style. Realized: CHF 181,500 (about $197,000) Click images to enlarge.

Another top lot in the auction was a coin minted for the ill-fated Emperor Macrinus (A.D. 217-218), who ruled for a little more than a year before a rebellion left him and his son dead. The Roman Empire, Macrinus (A.D. 217-218) Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients Ch XF, 5/5 Strike and 3/5 Surface (lot 56) realized CHF 114,950 (about $125,000).

Roman Empire, Macrinus (A.D. 217-218) Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients Ch XF, 5/5 Strike and 3/5 Surface. Realized: CHF 114,950 (about $125,000) Click images to enlarge.

Other NGC-certified highlights in Auction 13 included:

• a Roman Empire, Caracalla (A.D. 198-217) Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients Ch AU★, 5/5 Strike and 5/5 Surface with Fine Style (lot 55) that realized CHF 121,000 (about $132,000)
• a Roman Empire, Plotina (circa A.D. 105-122(?)) Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients Ch XF, 5/5 Strike and 2/5 Surface with Fine Style (lot 21) that realized CHF 90,750 (about $99,000)
• a Roman Empire, Pertinax (A.D. 193) Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients Ch AU, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface with Fine Style (lot 38) that realized CHF 90,750 (about $99,000)
• a Roman Empire, Probus (A.D. 276-282) Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients MS★, 5/5 Strike and 3/5 Surface (lot 78) that realized CHF 90,750 (about $99,000)
• a Roman Empire, Hadrian (A.D. 117-138) Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients Ch AU★, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface with Fine Style (lot 22) that realized CHF 72,600 (about $79,000)
• a Roman Empire, Pertinax (A.D. 193) Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients Ch AU 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface (lot 39) that realized CHF 72,600 (about $79,000)
• a Septimus Severus (A.D. 193-211) Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients MS★, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface (lot 44) that realized CHF 72,600 (about $79,000)
• a Roman Empire, Domitian (A.D. 81-96) Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients Ch AU★, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface (lot 16) that realized CHF 67,760 (about $74,000)
• a Roman Empire, Vespasian (A.D. 69-79) Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients Ch XF, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface (lot 11) that realized CHF 60,500 (about $66,000)
• a Roman Empire, Gal. Valeria (A.D. 293(?)-311) Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients Ch AU, 5/5 Strike and 3/5 Surface (lot 94) that realized CHF 60,500 (about $66,000)

All dollar amounts are in US Dollars.