Four NGC-certified Gold Rarities Each Realize Prices Over $200,000 in Spink Sales

Four highly prized gold coins certified by Numismatic Guaranty Company® (NGC®) — two from the ancient world and two from 19th century Britain — each realized prices of more than $200,000 in recent Spink sales. The auctions were held March 31 and April 3, 2023.

The top coin in the Ancient and British Coins - Featuring the 'White Rose' Collection sale held April 3 is a coin often regarded as the most beautiful in British numismatics. The Great Britain 1839 Una and the Lion 5 Sovereign graded NGC PF 62 Ultra Cameo (lot 627) realized £230,000 (about $285,000). The obverse shows a bust of the young Queen Victoria, while the reverse depicts her guiding a lion as Lady Una, a character from the epic poem "The Faerie Queene."

Great Britain 1839 Una and the Lion 5 Sovereign graded NGC PF 62 Ultra Cameo and pedigreed to the White Rose Collection. Realized: £230,000 (about $285,000) Click images to enlarge.

Another young ruler is depicted on a coin struck nearly 1,900 years earlier. The Roman Imperatorial, Octavian and Julius Caesar (c. 43 B.C.) Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients Ch AU★, 4/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface (lot 636) shows a teenage Octavian, who would later become Rome's first emperor, Augustus. The other side shows Julius Caesar, whose assassination a year before the coin was struck ignited a civil war among Roman factions. This coin realized £220,000 (about $273,000), more than double its pre-auction estimate of £60,000 to £100,000.

Roman Imperatorial, Octavian and Divus J. Caesar (c. 43) Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients Ch AU★, 4/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface and pedigreed to the White Rose Collection. Realized: £220,000 (about $273,000) Click images to enlarge.

While the Octavian coin was struck at a time of rapid Roman expansion, another coin in the auction represents the twilight of an ancient power. The Pharaonic Egypt, Nectanebo II (c. 361-343 B.C.) Gold Stater graded NGC Ancients Ch XF★, 4/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface (lot 634) was issued by the last native ruler of ancient Egypt. The defeat and exile of Nectanebo II in 342 B.C. marked the beginning of centuries of Egypt's rule by foreigners, first by the Persians, and later by Greeks and Romans. This coin realized £180,000 (about $223,000), also well above its pre-auction estimate.

Pharaonic Egypt, Nectanebo II (c. 361-343 B.C.) Gold Stater graded NGC Ancients Ch XF★, 4/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface and pedigreed to the White Rose Collection. Realized: £180,000 (about $223,000) Click images to enlarge.

Meanwhile, a rare British pattern led a dozen NGC-certified coins of the St. Helier Collection of English Gold Coins, which was held March 31. The Great Britain 1820 Gold Pattern 5 Sovereign graded NGC PF 60 Cameo (lot 711) shows King George III on the obverse and the timeless St. George and Dragon design on the reverse. This coin realized £235,000 (about $291,000).

Great Britain 1820 Gold Pattern 5 Sovereign graded NGC PF 60 Cameo and pedigreed to the St. Helier Collection. Realized: £235,000 (about $291,000) Click images to enlarge.

Other NGC-graded highlights in the St. Helier Collection included:

• a Great Britain 1713 Gold Pattern Farthing graded NGC MS 63 (lot 712) that realized £85,000 (about $105,000)
• a Great Britain 1748 5 Guineas graded NGC MS 61 (lot 703) that realized £55,000 (about $68,000)
• an England 1676 Elephant and Castle 5 Guineas graded NGC AU 58 (lot 707) that realized £52,000 (about $64,000)
• an England 1701 Plain Sceptres 5 Guineas graded NGC AU 58+ (lot 705) that realized £52,000 (about $64,000)
• a Great Britain 1831 2 Sovereign graded NGC PF 62 Ultra Cameo (lot 710) that realized £22,000 (about $27,000)
• an England 1701 William III 2 Guineas graded NGC AU 58 (lot 704) that realized £17,000 (about $21,000)
• an England 1678 Elephant and Castle 2 Guineas graded NGC UNC Details (lot 706) that realized £13,000 (about $16,000)

Prices realized include buyer's premium. Estimates are provided by the auction house. The $ symbol represents US Dollars.