Gold Roman Medallion Certified by NGC Ancients Realizes $2.3 Million, a Record for a CNG Auction

An ancient Roman medallion certified by Numismatic Guaranty Company® (NGC®) has realized more than $2.3 million in a Classical Numismatic Group (CNG) sale, setting a new record for the prestigious auction house. It was one of more than 150 ancient and world coins and medals certified by NGC in the Triton XXVI auction, held in New York City on January 10-11, 2023.

The gold medallion of the Emperor Diocletian (AD 284-305) graded NGC Ancients Ch AU★, 5/5 Strike and 5/5 Surface with Fine Style (lot 830) realized $2,327,500, an amount well above its pre-auction estimate of $500,000. It is the second-highest price realized for any NGC Ancients-certified coin, behind a gold EID MAR Aureus of Brutus graded NGC Ancients MS★ that in 2020 sold for $4.2 million.

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.

“This is one of the most impressive ancient coins we've had the privilege to examine,” said David Vagi, NGC Ancients Director. “As existing and emerging markets continue to recognize the value of our services, we anticipate increasingly strong demand in the years ahead.”

With this sale, NGC Ancients has certified three of the four most expensive Roman numismatic rarities sold at auction, including the Diocletian medallion and the Brutus aureus. The other is a Roman Sestertius of the emperor Hadrian (AD 117-138) graded NGC Ancients Ch AU★, 5/5 Strike and 5/5 Surface with Fine Style that in 2008 realized $1.9 million.

The Diocletian medallion weighs 53 grams — equivalent to 10 aurei, making it one of the largest Roman gold medallions in existence. It was struck for a special occasion and would have been presented to a prestigious individual, perhaps by the emperor himself. To learn more about this stunning medallion, check out the video below.

“We are quite pleased for both our bidders and consignors in Triton XXVI, which turned out to be one of the most successful and memorable auctions in CNG’s nearly five decades in operation,” said Michael Gasvoda, CNG Managing Director.

Other highlights certified by NGC in the sale included:

• a Bosporus, Panticapaeum c.340-320 BC Gold Stater graded NGC Ancients Ch MS, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface with Fine Style (lot 181) that realized $196,000
• a Bactria, Indo-Greeks Zoilos I c. 150-130 BC Silver Tetradrachm graded NGC Ancients Ch AU★, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface with Fine Style (lot 497) that realized $159,250
• a Great Britain 1893 5 Sovereign graded NGC PF 66 Ultra Cameo (lot 1282) that realized $147,000
• an England (1584-86) Elizabeth I Ryal graded NGC MS 61 (lot 1253) that realized $134,750
• 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) that realized $98,000

All prices realized include a buyer’s premium. The $ symbol represents US Dollars.

Related Article:

• A New World Record! NGC Ancients-certified EID MAR Aureus Realizes Nearly $4.2 Million at Auction
• NGC-Graded Coins Shatter European Auction Results