Stunning Caligula Rarity Leads NGC-certified Ancient and World Coins in Heritage NYINC Auction

A high-grade example of a gold coin issued under Roman Emperor Caligula is among more than 600 rarities certified by Numismatic Guaranty Company® (NGC®) in an upcoming auction, including several expected to sell for more than $100,000. Online bidding is already underway for Heritage Auctions' NYINC Platinum Session World & Ancient Coins Signature Auction - New York, which will be held on January 13, 2025.

One of the top lots in the sale is a Roman Empire, Caligula (A.D. 37-41) Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients MS★, 5/5 Strike, 5/5 Surface (lot 33054), with an estimate of $200,000 to $400,000. Struck during the reign of the third Roman emperor, the coin features the bust of Caligula on the obverse and the bust of the first Roman emperor, Augustus, on the reverse. A member of the first ruling family of the Roman Empire, Caligula was the son of Roman general Germanicus and Augustus' granddaughter Agrippina the Elder, but his cruel reign ended after a mere four years when he was assassinated. According to the auction house, this is "easily the finest Caligula aureus in private hands."

Click images to enlarge.

Another top lot is an England 1688 5 Guineas graded NGC MS 64 PL (lot 33202), with an estimate of $200,000 to $300,000. Part of one of the most popular vintage coin series in British numismatics, the obverse features the bust of King James II, who reigned from 1685 until being driven into exile in 1688. According to the auction house, the coin's Prooflike designation makes it one of the finest preserved coins of its type that has ever been offered in a Heritage sale.

Click images to enlarge.

The auction also includes the Gatsby Collection, an unprecedented collection centered on the holy grail of South Africa coins: an 1898 Stamped Single '9' Pond graded NGC MS 63 PL. Learn more about this collection here.

Other NGC-certified coins in this auction include:

• a Great Britain 1839 Una and the Lion 5 Sovereign graded NGC PF 62+ Ultra Cameo (lot 33263), with an estimate of $200,000 to $300,000
• an England 1705 5 Guineas graded NGC MS 61 (lot 33217), with an estimate of $200,000 to $300,000
• an India AH1030//16 Mughal Empire Mohur - Jahangir graded NGC MS 62 (lot 33290), with an estimate of $100,000 to $200,000
• an Italy (1722-32)VQ 15 Zecchini graded NGC MS 66★ and pedigreed to the Paramount Collection (lot 33304), with an estimate of $100,000 to $200,000
• a Russia 1845CNB 6 Roubles graded NGC PF 64 and pedigreed to the Eternal Collection (lot 32112), with an estimate of $100,000 to $200,000
• a Roman Empire, Macrinus (A.D. 217-218) Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients Ch MS★, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface (lot 33083), with an estimate of $100,000 to $150,000
• a Bosporus, Panticapaeum c.340-320 B.C. Gold Stater graded NGC Ancients MS, 4/5 Strike and 3/5 Surface with Fine Style (lot 33009), with an estimate of $70,000 to $90,000
• a Mysia, Pergamum (after 336 B.C.) Gold Stater graded NGC Ancients MS, 5/5 Strike and 3/5 Surface with Fine Style (lot 33011), with an estimate of $60,000 to $80,000
• a Carian Islands, Cos c.480-475 B.C. Silver Triple-Siglos graded NGC Ancients VF, 4/5 Strike and 3/5 Surface (lot 33014), with an estimate of $60,000 to $80,000
• a Colombia 1770NR VJ 8 Reales graded NGC MS 64+ (lot 33133), with an estimate of $60,000 to $80,000

Estimates are provided by the auction house. The $ symbol indicates US Dollars.