NGC-certified Ultra-rarity from Japan Realizes Record $564,000 in Heritage Sale

Graded by Numismatic Guaranty Company™ (NGC®), an ultra-rarity from Japan set a record and six English coins each realized six figures in a recent Heritage Auctions sale. They were among over 1,400 world coins graded by NGC that were offered in the World & Ancient Coins Platinum Session and Signature® Auction, which was held August 25, 2022.

The top coin in the sale was a Japan (1870) Meiji Year 3 Gold Pattern 10 Yen graded NGC MS 66 (lot 34307). Rapid modernization of Japan’s economy in 1870 led to the birth of the yen as currency. Gold patterns like this are very rare, and such a high-grade example is sought eagerly by collectors. It realized $564,000, setting a record for the highest price realized for a Japanese coin in a Heritage auction.

A Japan (1870) Meiji Year 3 Gold Pattern 10 Yen graded NGC MS 66. Realized: $564,000 Click images to enlarge.

Another auction highlight was a Great Britain 1839 Una and the Lion Gold 5 Sovereign graded NGC PF 63 Ultra Cameo (lot 34252). Una and the Lion coins are generally regarded as the pinnacle of British numismatics because of their stunning design and enormous collector value. This example realized $372,000.

A Great Britain 1839 Una and the Lion Gold 5 Sovereign graded NGC PF 63 Ultra Cameo. Realized: $372,000 Click images to enlarge.

Also featured was a beautiful England (1595-98) Pound featuring Elizabeth I (lot 34199). With a grade of NGC MS 66★, this example is unsurpassed in the NGC Census. The coin realized $240,000, far above its pre-auction estimate of $80,000 to $120,000.

A Great Britain 1595-98 Elizabeth I England £1 graded NGC MS 66★. Realized: $240,000 Click images to enlarge.

Other NGC-certified highlights in the sale included:

• a Great Britain 2021 Gothic Crown Gold 2 Kilogram 2,000 Pounds graded NGC PF 70 Ultra Cameo (lot 34277) that realized $180,000
• a Great Britain 2021 Gothic Crown Gold 2 Kilogram 2,000 Pounds graded NGC PF 70 Ultra Cameo (lot 34278) that realized $168,000
• an England 1701 Plain Sceptres 5 Guineas graded NGC MS 63 (lot 34215) that realized $144,000
• a Great Britain 1711 5 Guineas graded NGC AU 58 and pedigreed to the Thomas H. Law Collection (lot 34220) that realized $102,000
• a Bohemia 1636 Prague 10 Ducat graded NGC MS 63 (lot 34129) that realized $96,000
• a Great Britain 1847 Gothic Crown with Undecimo Edge graded NGC PF 65 (lot 34237) that realized $75,000
• a Great Britain 2021 Gothic Crown Gold 1 Kilogram 1,000 Pounds graded NGC PF 70 Ultra Cameo (lot 34276) that realized $72,000
• an England (1605-06) James I Ryal graded NGC MS 61 (lot 34201) that realized $66,000
• a Switzerland 1798 Bern 8 Ducat graded NGC MS 62 PL and pedigreed to the Paramount Collection (lot 34344) that realized $66,000
• an Austria 1659 Vienna 5 Ducat graded NGC MS 63+ (lot 34119) that realized $66,000
• a Brazil 1645 Pernambuco Dutch Colony 12 Florins graded NGC MS 62 (lot 34133) that realized $66,000

Prices realized include buyer’s premium. Pre-auction estimates are provided by the auction house.