CNG Auction Features Diocletian Medallion Certified by NGC Ancients

A possibly unique medallion struck over 1,700 years ago for the Roman Emperor Diocletian is one of more than 150 ancient and world coins and medals certified by Numismatic Guaranty Company™ (NGC®) in a Classical Numismatic Group (CNG) auction. Bidding is already underway for the Triton XXVI auction, being held in New York City on January 10-11, 2023.

With an estimate of $500,000, the gold medallion of Diocletian (AD 284-305) is graded NGC Ancients Ch AU★, 5/5 Strike and 5/5 Surface with Fine Style (lot 830). The obverse depicts Diocletian, who introduced many reforms to defend ancient Rome from barbarian invasion, while the reverse shows Jupiter, the chief Roman god.

a Roman Empire, Diocletian AD 284-305 Gold Medallion graded NGC Ancients Ch AU★, 5/5 Strike and 5/5 Surface with Fine Style Click images to enlarge.

Weighing 53 grams (equivalent to 10 aurei), the medallion was doubtlessly struck for a high-ranking soldier or official and may have been presented by the emperor himself. Only very rarely are medallions of this size offered at auction. To learn more about this stunning rarity, watch the video below.

Other highlights certified by NGC in the sale include:

• a Bosporus, Panticipaeum c. 340-320 BC Gold Stater graded NGC Ancients Ch MS, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface with Fine Style (lot 181) with an estimate of $100,000
• a Bactria, Indo-Greeks Zoilos I c. 150-130 BC Silver Tetracdrachm graded NGC Ancients Ch AU★, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface with Fine Style (lot 497) with an estimate of $100,000
• a Great Britain 1893 5 Sovereign graded NGC PF 66 Ultra Cameo (lot 1282) with an estimate of $60,000
• a Sicily, Syracuse c. 405-370 BC (Euainetos) Silver Decadrachm graded NGC Ancients Ch AU, 5/5 Strike and 2/5 Surface, with Fine Style (lot 57) with an estimate of $50,000
• a Roman Empire, Pertinax, AD 193 Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients Ch AU, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface (lot 784) with an estimate of $50,000
• an England (1584-86) Elizabeth I Ryal graded NGC MS 61 (lot 1253) with an estimate of $50,000
• a Bactria, Indo-Greeks Silver Tetradrachm graded NGC Ancients Ch AU, 3/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface (lot 498) with an estimate of $30,000
• a Bruttium, Caulonia late 6th Century BC Silver Stater graded NGC Ancients Ch AU★, 5/5 Strike and 5/5 Surface with Fine Style (lot 26) with an estimate of $25,000
• a Roman Empire Clodius Macer, AD 68 Silver Denarius graded NGC Ancients XF★, 4/5 Strike and 5/5 Surface (lot 712) with an estimate of $25,000
• a Great Britain 1831 W.W. Crown graded NGC PF 64 Cameo (lot 1281) with an estimate of $25,000
• a Great Britain 1847 Gothic Type Crown - Undecimo Edge graded NGC PF 64 (lot 1286) with an estimate of $25,000
• a Great Britain 1947 Gothic Type Pure Silver Crown - Plain Edge graded NGC PF 63 Cameo (lot 1287) with an estimate of $25,000

All estimates are provided by the auction house in US Dollars.