Ancient Roman Gold Coins Certified by NGC Ancients in Numismatica Genevensis Auction

Nearly 100 fascinating ancient Roman gold coins, the majority certified by Numismatic Guaranty Company™ (NGC®), are being offered in a sale by Switzerland-based Numismatica Genevensis SA. The collection spans about 400 years of Roman history and contains coinage representing rulers from Julius Caesar through Constantius II. Online bidding has already begun for Auction 13, which ends on November 15, 2021.

One of the top coins in the sale was minted for ill-fated Emperor Macrinus (A.D. 217-218), who ruled for a little more than a year before his predecessor's aunt instigated a rebellion against him that left him and his son dead. The Roman Empire, Macrinus (A.D. 217-218) Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients Ch XF, 5/5 Strike and 3/5 Surface (lot 56) has a starting price of CHF 75,000 (about $82,000 USD).

Roman Empire, Macrinus (A.D. 217-218) Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients Ch XF, 5/5 Strike and 3/5 Surface Click images to enlarge.

The obverse of the coin features a bust of the Roman emperor, while the reverse depicts the goddess of health, Salus, seated on throne, holding a scepter and feeding a serpent. Macrinus, who orchestrated the murder of his predecessor, may have been drawn to images of Salus in order to try to portray his rule as legitimate.

The other leading coin in the sale commemorates Emperor Constantius II, who helped unite the eastern and western parts of the empire after it was divided after the death of his father, Constantine. This Roman Empire, Constantius II (A.D. 337-361) 2 Solidi Gold Medallion graded NGC Ancients Ch AU, 5/5 Strike and 3/5 Surface with Fine Style (lot 100) also has a starting price of CHF 75,000 (about $82,000 USD).

Roman Empire, Constantius II (A.D. 337-361) 2 Aurei Gold Medallion graded NGC Ancients Ch AU, 5/5 Strike and 3/5 Surface with Fine Style Click images to enlarge.

One of only five recorded examples, according to the auction house, the medallion features Constantius II in a draped bust facing left. On the reverse are personifications of Rome and Constantinople facing each other to signify the unification of the East and West under Constantius II.

Numismatica Genevensis is also showcasing more than 250 NGC-certified coins in Auction 14, including rare coins from Switzerland, Portugal, Austria, Germany and France that have starting prices of at least CHF 100,000. To learn more, click here.

Other NGC-certified rarities in Auction 13 include:

• a Roman Empire, Plotina (circa A.D. 105-122(?)) Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients Ch XF, 5/5 Strike and 2/5 Surface with Fine Style (lot 21), with a starting price of CHF 60,000 (about $65,000 USD)
• a Roman Empire, Pertinax (A.D. 193) Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients Ch AU, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface with Fine Style (lot 38), with a starting price of CHF 50,000 (about $55,000 USD)
• a Roman Empire, Caracalla (A.D. 198-217) Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients Ch AU★, 5/5 Strike and 5/5 Surface with Fine Style (lot 55), with a starting price of CHF 50,000 (about $55,000 USD)
• a Roman Empire, Pertinax (A.D. 193) Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients Ch AU 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface (lot 39), with a starting price of CHF 40,000 (about $44,000 USD)
• a Roman Empire, Probus (A.D. 276-282) Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients MS★, 5/5 Strike and 3/5 Surface (lot 78), with a starting price of CHF 40,000 (about $44,000 USD)
• a Roman Empire, Gal. Valeria (A.D. 293(?)-311) Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients Ch AU, 5/5 Strike and 3/5 Surface (lot 94) with a starting price of CHF 40,000 (about $44,000 USD)
• a Roman Empire, Vespasian (A.D. 69-79) Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients Ch XF, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface (lot 11), with a starting price of CHF 30,000 (about $33,000 USD)
• a Roman Empire, Domitian (A.D. 81-96) Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients Ch AU★, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface (lot 16), with a starting price of CHF 30,000 (about $33,000 USD)
• a Roman Empire, Hadrian (A.D. 117-138) Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients Ch AU★, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface with Fine Style (lot 22), with a starting price of CHF 30,000 (about $33,000 USD)
• a Roman Empire, Hadrian (A.D. 117-138) Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients MS, 5/5 Strike and 3/5 Surface with Fine Style (lot 24), with a starting price of CHF 30,000 (about $33,000 USD)

All starting prices provided by the auction house.