Six-figure Results for 15 NGC-certified Vintage World Coins in Heritage Sale

An extraordinarily rare Australian gold coin from The Regent Collection that was certified by Numismatic Guaranty Company™ (NGC®), sold for more than half a million dollars in a Heritage Auctions sale. It was one of seven highly prized NGC-graded Australian gold coins to realize six figures in the Central States World Coins & Ancient Coins Platinum Session and Signature Auction, which concluded May 5, 2022. Another eight NGC-certified vintage world coins also achieved at least $100,000.

The top lot was an Australia 1920S Sovereign graded NGC MS 64+ (lot 30154), which realized $552,000. With only six examples known, the coin is recognized as the rarest of all of Australia’s issued sovereigns and the highest example graded by NGC. The coin features a portrait of King George V on the obverse and St. George slaying the Dragon on the reverse.

Australia 1920S Sovereign graded NGC MS 64+. Realized: $552,000 Click images to enlarge.

Another top NGC-graded Australian coin in the sale was an 1853 Gold Pattern Sovereign graded NGC PF 63 Ultra Cameo (lot 30151), which realized $384,000. The coin, which celebrates Sydney as the site of the first Royal Mint branch outside of England, is presumed to be unique in private hands.

Australia 1853 Gold Pattern Sovereign graded NGC PF 63 Ultra Cameo. Realized: $384,000 Click images to enlarge.

Other NGC-certified Australian highlights in the sale included:

• an Australia 1855 Sovereign graded NGC PF 65 Ultra Cameo (lot 30152), which realized $240,000
• an Australia 1856 Sovereign with a Plain Edge graded NGC PF 65★ Ultra Cameo (lot 30153), which realized $234,000.
• an Australia 1855 Half Sovereign graded NGC PF 66★ Cameo (lot 30149), which realized $186,000.
• an Australia 1853 Gold Pattern Half Sovereign graded NGC PF 62 Ultra Cameo (lot 30148), which realized $156,000
• an Australia 1856 Half Sovereign with a Plain Edge graded NGC PF 65+ Ultra Cameo (lot 30150), which realized $144,000

Meanwhile, other NGC-certified vintage world coins also realized six figures in the auction. A top lot was a Great Britain 1839 Una and the Lion 5 Sovereign graded NGC PF 62 Ultra Cameo (lot 30254), which sold for $288,000. The obverse displays a portrait of a young Victoria, who became queen in 1837. The reverse features a woman bearing a clear likeness to Victoria leading a lion representing Great Britain.

Great Britain 1839 Una and the Lion 5 Sovereign graded NGC PF 62 Ultra Cameo. Realized: $288,000 Click images to enlarge.

Another top lot was a Germany 1745 PPW Nurnberg 6 Ducat graded NGC MS 60 PL (lot 30209), which realized $216,000. The obverse shows Holy Roman Emperor Francis I, while the reverse shows a view of the historic city in Bavaria.

Germany 1745 PPW Nurnberg 6 Ducat graded NGC MS 60 PL. Realized: $216,000 Click images to enlarge.

Other NGC-certified highlights in the sale included:

• an Austria 1660 CA Vienna 10 Ducat graded NGC MS 61 (lot 30158), which realized $180,000
• a Russia 1894-dated Death of Alexander III Gold Medal graded NGC MS 62 (lot 30338), which realized $180,000
• a Great Britain 1826 5 Sovereign graded NGC PF 63 Ultra Cameo (lot 30237), which realized $162,000
• a Greece 1870 Gold Zappas Olympics – Class A Victor’s Award graded NGC SP 63 (lot 30269), which realized $150,000
• an England 1679 5 Guineas graded NGC MS 61 and pedigreed to the Paramount Collection (lot 30225), which realized $120,000
• a Great Britain 1847 Gothic Type Silver Crown graded NGC PF 65 (lot 30245), which realized $102,000
• a Great Britain 1826 5 Sovereign graded NGC PF 62 Ultra Cameo (lot 30238), which realized $96,000

All prices include buyer’s premium. The $ symbol represents US dollars.