NGC Galleries

The first coins struck in what is now the United States were Massachusetts Colonial issues. They began with the rudimentary 'NE' coins of 1652, which were followed over the next 30 years by Willow Tree, Oak Tree and Pine Tree issues. The handmade dies gave rise to a fascinating assortment of die varieties, which have been carefully documented by numismatic researcher Christopher J. Salmon. His collection is being offered by Heritage Auctions in a series of sales beginning in August 2022.

The SINCONA British Collection is an extraordinary group of rarities that tell the history of English coinage over nearly 700 years, starting with King Edward III in the 14th century. The offerings in SINCONA auctions in November 2021, May 2022, October 2022, May 2023 and October 2023 spotlighted more than 2,500 NGC-certified coins, including an 1820 Pattern that realized over $600,000 and a unique modern 5-kilogram gold rarity.

This group of 123 Double Eagles was recovered from the SS Central America, known today as the "Ship of Gold." When the ship sank during a hurricane in 1857, more than 9 tons of gold went with it, causing panic on Wall Street. The treasure was eventually recovered over the last few decades, and the gold was conserved, graded and sold. However, one great mystery remained — a box of gold coins from the San Francisco Mint, its contents lost to time, unseen since it was packed in 1857. NGC had the honor to examine and grade these coins for the first time.