Two Coins Certified by NGC Ancients Realize Six Figures in CNG Sale

Two coins struck over 2,000 years ago that have been certified by Numismatic Guaranty Company™ (NGC®) each realized prices over $100,000 in a Classical Numismatic Group auction. They were among dozens of ancient and world coins certified by NGC in the Triton XXV Auction, which was held January 11-12, 2022.

The top NGC-certified coin in the sale was a Bactria, Indo-Greeks Menander (c. 165/55-130 BC) Silver Tetradrachm graded NGC Ancients Ch XF★, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface, with Fine Style (lot 565). Menander I was an Indo-Greek king based in what today is eastern Pakistan. Though his coinage is plentiful, this particular example is rare because it was struck on a heavier standard. It realized $168,000.

Bactria, Indo-Greeks Menander (c. 165/55-130 BC) Silver Tetradrachm graded NGC Ancients Ch XF★, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface, with Fine Style. Realized: $168,000 Click images to enlarge.

Meanwhile, a Roman Imperatorial, Quintus Labienus 40-39 BC Silver Denarius graded NGC Ancients AU★, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface (lot 764) realized $150,000. This coin was issued in the name of a Roman general allied with Caesar assassins Brutus and Cassius. After some initial success, Quintus Labienus was defeated by a general allied with Marc Antony, who ruled the eastern part of Rome's territory.

Roman Imperatorial, Quintus Labienus 40-39 BC Silver Denarius graded NGC Ancients AU★, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface. Realized: $150,000 Click images to enlarge.

Other NGC-certified highlights in the sale included:

• a Bactria, Indo-Greeks Menander (c.165/55-130 BC) Silver Drachm graded NGC Ancients Ch AU★, 5/5 Strike and 5/5 Surface (lot 556) that realized $93,600
• a Bactria, Indo-Greeks Theophilus (c.130/29 BC?) Silver Tetradrachm graded NGC Ancients AU★, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface, with Fine Style (lot 567) that realized $86,400
• a Babylonia c.328-311 BC Gold Double-Daric graded NGC Ancients AU★, 5/5 Strike and 5/5 Surface (lot 511) that realized $52,800
• a Sicily, Syracuse c.405-370 BC (Euainetos) Silver Decadrachm graded NGC Ancients AU, 4/4 Strike and 4/4 Surface, with Fine Style (lot 106) that realized $52,800
• an Italy (1197-1250) Sicily - Messina Augustale graded NGC MS 61 (lot 1185) that realized $43,200

Prices realized include buyer's premium. All dollar amounts are US Dollars.