NGC Certified 42 of the Top 50 Coins in Heritage Auctions' NYINC Sale

NGC certified 42 of the 50 highest grossing coins in Heritage Auctions’ recently concluded New York International Numismatic Convention (NYINC) sale. The extraordinary showing, which represents a diverse group of countries and eras, reaffirms NGC’s position as the most trusted grading service for world coins.

The strong preference that world coin collectors of all budgets and interests have for NGC-certified coins was further reflected by the fact that NGC-certified coins accounted for nearly 84% of the sale’s total prices realized of approximately $15.6 million.

"NGC provides a tremendous service for collectors of all kinds with their certification of nearly all world and ancient coins,” says Cristiano Bierrenbach, Executive Vice President of International Numismatics at Heritage Auctions. “The NGC guarantee and opinion on grade, together with our catalog descriptions and photography, makes our worldwide clientele much more comfortable when bidding on our lots, which in turn helps us achieve our main objective: the highest possible prices for our consignors."

The sale’s results were led by two coins from an NGC-certified Japan Meiji 13 (1880) Proof Set. A tiny number of these impressive sets were prepared by Japan for presentation to foreign heads-of-state and other dignitaries.

The Proof Gold 20 Yen from the set, graded NGC PF 64 Cameo, topped the sale at $305,500. It was closely followed by the Proof Gold 10 Yen, also graded NGC PF 64 Cameo, which realized $270,250. In total, the 11 NGC-certified original Proof coins from the set achieved an impressive $1,309,185.

Japan M13 (1880) 20 Yen NGC PF 64 Cameo Click images to enlarge.

Other noteworthy results from the sale included the $223,250 paid for an excessively rare and meticulously detailed Austria-Salzburg Gold 25 Ducat, struck in 1709 to honor the selection of Franz Anton as Archbishop. It was graded NGC MS 61.

Austria 1709 25 Ducat Salzburg FR-838 NGC MS 61 Click images to enlarge.

That coin was closely followed by an England 1700 Gold 5 Guineas in NGC MS 63. Possibly the finest known example of this issue, it sold for $211,500.

Many of the other most notable results came from the D. Moore Collection, an assemblage of over 500 NGC-certified coins that share a common theme: an exceptional state of preservation. The top D. Moore result was realized by a rare and high grade Russia 1755 Gold Pattern 5 Roubles graded NGC PF 64★ Cameo. Bidding stopped at $211,500.

Russia 1755-CNB Elizabeth Gold Novodel Proof Pattern 5 Roubles NGC PR 64 Click images to enlarge.

Another significant piece from the D. Moore Collection was the Great Britain 1893 Gold 5 Pounds in NGC PF 67★ Ultra Cameo that realized $152,750. One of only 773 examples struck, this Superb Gem is the highest graded by NGC by a full two points.

The NGC-certified Cuba 1915 Gold Proof Set from the D. Moore Collection is also notable. Previously part of the famed Eliasberg Collection and considered to be one of the most important items in Cuban numismatics, this set sold for $199,750.

The six-figure results for NGC-certified coins were rounded out by an attractive England 1691 Gold 5 Guinea of William and Mary. Graded NGC MS 63, it closed at $105,750.

Although it just missed the $100,000 mark, an NGC Ancients-graded Lydian gold stater, an example of one of the world’s first gold coins, is worthy of mention because of the price it realized after NGC certification. In May 2015, this exact coin sold at auction prior to NGC grading for $23,452. Less than two years later, the coin—now graded Gem MS, 5/5 Strike, 5/5 Surface by NGC Ancients—sold for $88,125.

“NGC’s top notch team of world and ancient coin graders and consultants, coupled with its significant international presence, has enabled it to build upon its longstanding leadership position for world coin grading,” says Mark Salzberg, chairman of NGC. “We feel very privileged to be able to see so many phenomenal rarities such as the ones featured in Heritage Auctions’ NYINC sale.”

To see the full results of Heritage Auctions’ NYINC World and Ancient Coins Signature Auction, visit HA.com.