NGC Celebrates 50 Million Coins, Tokens and Medals Certified
Posted on 28/06/2021
NGC has now certified more than 50 million coins, tokens and medals, becoming the first third-party coin grading service to reach that major milestone. Fifty million coins represents numismatic rarities from the dawn of coinage to the modern day, some recovered from the depths of the ocean and others that have been flown to the moon.
Founded in 1987, NGC is the world’s leading and largest numismatic certification service, employing an expert team of more than 35 full-time graders and hundreds of support staff with offices in the United States, Great Britain, Germany and China. NGC also has a network of over 20 Official Submission Centers and thousands of Authorized Dealers in countries around the globe.
“NGC is honored by the incredible support of collectors and dealers over the years that has propelled us to this significant milestone,” said Mark Salzberg, NGC Chairman and Grading Finalizer. “The worldwide trust in our services and the high prices realized for NGC-certified coins is based on an unwavering commitment to our founding principles of accuracy, consistency and integrity, which will continue to guide us into the future.”
To celebrate 50 million coins certified, NGC is showcasing 50 amazing rarities from the 2,600-year history of numismatics. Among the selections are exceptional pieces that have realized prices over $1 million, exciting discoveries and errors, ancient marvels and coins from some of the greatest collections ever assembled.
Seven-Figure US Coins
The coin: 1787 'EB' on Wing New York Style Brasher Doubloon The grade: NGC MS 65★ The pedigree: Donald G. Partrick Collection Why it's special: The centerpiece of the Partrick Collection, this coin realized a record $9.36 million at a Heritage Auctions sale in January 2021. Brasher Doubloons were the first gold coins struck in the newly independent United States. Only nine are known, with this one being the finest. Learn more: Click here.The coin: 1907 Extremely High Relief, Lettered Edge $20 The grade: NGC PF 68 The pedigree: The Paramount Collection Why it's special: These initial specimens of the inaugural Saint-Gaudens Double Eagle reign as some of the most-prized artifacts in all of US coinage. Only about 20 are known in Extremely High Relief. This was the focal point of the US coins portion of the ambitious Paramount Collection. It realized $3.6 million at a Heritage Auctions sale in February 2021. Learn more: Click here.
The coin: 1792 Eagle & Stars Gold Washington President $10 The grade: NGC XF 45★ The pedigree: Eric P. Newman Collection Why it's special: This set a record for a coin from the Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society, which offered thousands of NGC-certified rarities from the famed numismatist. Newman believed that this coin was struck as a pattern for a Gold Eagle and that it was expressly struck for, presented to and carried by George Washington. It realized $1.74 million at a Heritage Auctions sale in August 2018. Learn more: Click here.
The coin: 1913 Liberty Nickel The grade: NGC PF 64+ Why it's special: The 1913 Liberty Nickel mintage of only five coins was not officially authorized, as all nickels dated 1913 were supposed to be from the new Buffalo series. This particular example sold for $3.73 million at a Heritage Auctions sale in January 2010. The coins have captured the imagination well beyond the traditional coin collecting world, thanks in part to a 1973 episode of the original "Hawaii Five-O" centered on the coin. Learn more: Click here.
The coin: 1804 Class I Silver Dollar The grade: NGC PF 62 The pedigree: Mickley-Hawn-Queller Why it's special: This example realized $3.73 million at a Heritage Auctions sale in April 2008. It is a Class I, one of only eight known to exist. These are known to have been struck for presentation sets in 1834-35, erroneously bearing a date not previously used. Learn more: Click here.
Exciting Discoveries
The coin: 1878-S Morgan Dollar The grade: NGC SP 64 The pedigree: One of the First Ten Coined; Eliasberg Why it's special: NGC has graded more than 3.6 million Morgan Dollars, the beloved silver dollar series that began in 1878. This particular coin is engraved on the left side of the obverse: “ONE OF THE FIRST TEN COINED APRIL 17TH FROM J. GUS. BURT.” It was struck at the San Francisco Mint using freshly polished dies. Learn more: Click here.The coin: 1871 J-1067a Half Disme The grade: NGC PF 60 The pedigree: Farouk Why it's special: This copper-nickel pattern of an 1871 Half Dime is believed to be unique. It belonged to the famed collection of King Farouk of Egypt in the mid-20th century, and then it vanished for several decades. It was submitted unattributed in 2021 to NGC, whose graders noticed the strike might not be the more common silver alloy. This led to the exciting rediscovery. Learn more: Click here.
The coin: 1916 J-1989 Quarter Pattern The grade: NGC PF 61 Why it's special: Patterns, or proposed designs for coins, are an exciting area for collectors. They sometimes offer special insight into the development of a coin's design. Such is the case with this Standing Liberty Quarter pattern, which shows extra leaves obscuring the L in LIBERTY on the obverse. When these coins were struck for circulation, the foliage was trimmed back, making the 'L' much easier to see. Learn more: Click here.
The coin: 1854-S $5 The grade: NGC XF 45 The pedigree: Discovery of a Lifetime Why it's special: Only three examples of the 1854-S Half Eagle were known before 2018, when a fourth example was submitted to NGC. Its owner was stunned when he was told it was genuine. At the time, NGC Chairman Mark Salzberg likened it to "finding an original Picasso at a garage sale." It realized $2.16 million in a Heritage Auctions sale later that year. Learn more: Click here.
The coin: 2017-W American Palladium Eagle The grade: NGC MS 70 PL Why it's special: The US Mint introduced palladium coinage in 2017 with a mintage of several thousand American Palladium Eagles. They were struck only in an Uncirculated format that year, but once submissions began arriving at NGC, graders quickly recognized that some of the coins had a Prooflike appearance, and attributed them as such. About 6.5 percent of the 6,500 that NGC has graded have earned the PL designation. This particular example is shown with a NGC Signature Label from "Coinage Congressman" Mike Castle. Learn more: Click here.
Extraordinary Mint Errors
The coin: 1943 Bronze Cent The grade: NGC AU 53 BN The pedigree: Lutes Discovery Specimen Why it's special: In 2018, NGC certified the coin regarded as the King of Mint Errors. All cents in 1943 were supposed to be struck in zinc-coated steel, but a few were accidentally struck in bronze. The first was found by Donald Lutes, a teenager who received the penny in change from his school cafeteria in 1947. The Lutes coin realized $204,000 at Heritage auction in January 2019. Learn more: Click here.The coin: (2000)-P Sacagawea Dollar Reverse Muled with Washington Dollar Obverse The grade: NGC MS 67 Mint Error Why it's special: This modern mint error involves a coin with both the reverse of the Sacagawea Dollar and the obverse of a Washington Quarter. This error, caused by pairing dies intended for two different coins, is known as a mule. These Sacagawea/Washington mules are fascinating because they show that even in modern times, spectacular error coins can still occur and escape a mint. This particular coin realized $192,000 at a Stack's Bowers sale in March 2018. Learn more: Click here.
The coin: 2014-D Sacagawea Dollar Muled with a Presidential Reverse The grade: NGC Mint Error AU 58 The pedigree: Discovery Coin Why it's special: Another mule struck even closer to the present day brought together a Sacagawea obverse and a Presidential Dollar reverse. This error occurred in 2014 at the Denver Mint, which struck 5.6 million Sacagawea Dollars and 15 million Presidential Dollars that year. It realized $84,000 at a Heritage Auctions sale in April 2021. Learn more: Click here.
The coin: (1871-75)-S Seated Liberty Half Dollar Struck on a Quarter Planchet The grade: NGC Mint Error AU 50 The pedigree: Wheeler Family Why it's special: Errors have occurred throughout the history of coinage, as exemplified by this Seated Liberty Half Dollar struck on a smaller quarter planchet. At the time, half dollars and quarters had similar designs, so it is interesting that such errors did not occur more often. This coin realized $46,004 at a GreatCollections sale in 2019. Learn more: Click here.
The coin: Canada 2017 1 Kilogram Gold $2,500 Timber Wolf Muled with the Obverse of a Silver $250 The grade: NGC PF 70 Ultra Cameo Why it's special: The sheer volume of coins produced by mints does result in the occasional error escaping quality control procedures. However, even when a coin's mintage is small and its value is high, an error can still occur. This Canadian $2,500 gold coin had a mintage of only 10 coins, but the obverse for its $250 silver counterpart was accidentally used, creating an intriguing and high-profile error. Learn more: Click here.
Tokens and Medals
The coin: Apollo 11 Gold Robbins Medal The grade: NGC/CAG MS 67 The pedigree: The Armstrong Family Collection™, Lunar Module Flown Why it's special: The Apollo 11 mission made history in July 1969, when Neil Armstrong became the first person to walk on the moon. Robbins Medals were struck for the astronauts to take on the Apollo missions. Armstrong's gold medal realized over $2 million at a Heritage sale held on the 50th anniversary of that mission. Learn more: Click here.The coin: 1936 Olympic Gold Medal in Basketball The grade: NGC Genuine Why it's special: Basketball made its debut as an Olympic sport in 1936. That year, the US team defeated the Canadians in the championship game, which was played outdoors in a rainstorm. James Naismith, the inventor of basketball, presented the first Olympic gold medal for his sport to William Wheatley, the captain of the US team. NGC had the privilege of certifying it in early 2020. Learn more: Click here.
The coin: 1861 Bombardment of Fort Sumter Silver Medal The grade: NGC MS 64 PL Why it's special: In 2017, NGC's tokens and medals team identified a new silver variety of the renowned "Bombardment of Fort Sumter Dollar." The Confederate attack on the Union-held fort in Charleston, South Carolina marked the beginning of the Civil War in April 1861. Though the history of these medals is elusive, their reverse makes it clear they were meant to honor the Union forces' "heroic defense" of the fort. Learn more: Click here.
The coin: 1900 HK-1016 Lesher Dollar The grade: NGC MS 64 The pedigree: Henderson-Marchase Why it's special: In 1900 and 1901, Colorado silver mine owner Joseph Lesher had octagonal medals struck in an effort to promote the use of silver. Showing the Pikes Peak Silver Mine, these were called "referendum dollars," meaning it was up to the public whether to accept them. Only a few thousand were struck before the numismatic experiment ended. This one realized $84,000 in a 2020 Kagin's sale. Learn more: Click here.
The coin: 1820 Unholed North West Company Brass Token The grade: NGC MS 61 The pedigree: Doug Robins Why it's special: The North West Company was established by fur traders in Montreal in 1779 and lost its identity in a merger with another company in 1821. Before that happened, it issued tokens for goods worth a beaver pelt. Today, these tokens are a beloved part of Canadian numismatics. This very rare unholed version realized $42,000 at a Heritage sale in April 2018. Learn more: Click here.
Highlights from NGC Ancients
The coin: Lydia, Croesus (561-546 BC) Gold Stater The grade: NGC Ancients MS★, 5/5 Strike and 5/5 Surface Why it's special: King Croesus of Lydia (in modern-day Turkey) is credited for his innovations in gold coinage before the Persians abruptly ended his rule. This particular example of a "heavy stater" is in remarkably great shape for a coin over 2,500 years old. It realized $129,250 at a Heritage sale in August 2017. Learn more: Click here.The coin: Kingdom of Macedon Alexander III (336-323 BC) Gold Distater The grade: NGC Ancients AU★, 5/5 Strike, 4/5 Surface with Fine Style Why it's special: This coin dates to the time when Alexander the Great conquered a vast swath of the civilized world, stretching from Greece to Egypt to India. After his death at a young age in 323 BC, his empire was divided among his generals. This coin showing Athena realized $156,000 at a Heritage sale in August 2018. Learn more: Click here.
The coin: Roman Imperatorial - Brutus (42 B.C.) EID MAR Gold Aureus The grade: NGC Ancients MS★, 5/5 Strike, 3/5 Surface with Fine Style Why it's special: This coin shattered the auction record for an ancient coin, realizing $4.2 million in October 2020. The coin was struck by Brutus, a leader in the plot to assassinate the dictator Julius Caesar on the Ides of March, 44 BC. In the power struggle that followed, Brutus struck coins, including ones with his own portrait on one side, and on the other side a liberty cap and daggers over the inscription EID MAR. Learn more: Click here.
The coin: Roman Empire Magnentius (AD 350-353) Gold Medallion The grade: NGC Ancients MS★, 5/5 Strike, 3/5 Surface with Fine Style The pedigree: The Paramount Collection Why it's special: Magnentius, commander of the guard for Emperor Constans, seized control of the western Roman Empire in AD 350. His grip on power was short-lived, however. Constans' brother defeated him three years later, after which Magnentius killed himself. This gold medallion realized $336,000 in a Heritage sale in March 2021 Learn more: Click here.
The coin: Byzantine Empire, Constantine XI (AD 1448-1453) Silver Eighth Stavraton The grade: NGC Ancients XF★, 5/5 Strike and 5/5 Surface Why it's special: The two-millennia-long era of ancient coinage ends with the fall of Constantinople in 1453. By then, Byzantine coinage had devolved into crude specimens like this, reflecting its loss of prestige and territory. This example realized $26,400 at a Heritage sale in September 2019. Learn more: Click here.
British Coins
The coin: Great Britain 1937 Edward VIII Pattern 5 Sovereign The grade: NGC PF 67 Ultra Cameo The pedigree: The Paramount Collection Why it's special: This coin realized $2.28 million at a Heritage sale in March 2021, breaking the record for a British coin at auction. After his father died in January 1936, Edward VIII became king, but he abdicated in December to marry a divorced American socialite. A small number of Edward VIII patterns for coins that would have been issued in 1937 are some of the greatest rarities in British numismatics. Learn more: Click here.The coin: England (1257) Henry III Gold Penny The grade: NGC MS 63 Why it's special: Although it failed to gain traction in commerce when it was produced, the gold penny of Henry III represents a rebirth in coinage, as it marks the first time an enthroned ruler was shown on a gold coin of medieval Western Europe. Only a handful are known to exist, and this particular survivor realized $720,000 at a Heritage sale in January 2021. Learn more: Click here.
The coin: Great Britain 1831 Gold Crown The grade: NGC PF 66★ Ultra Cameo Why it's special: The 1831 Gold Crown is extremely rare, and this example is by far the finest known. It is the work of respected engraver William Wyon, who also gave the world the beloved Una and the Lion design. It realized a stunning $1.148 million at an MDC Monaco sale in October 2020. Learn more: Click here.
The coin: Great Britain 1839 "Una and the Lion" 5 Sovereign The grade: NGC PF 66★ Ultra Cameo Why it's special: The Una and the Lion design celebrating the young Queen Victoria is widely regarded as the most beautiful in British numismatics. In recent years, collectors have bid enthusiastically to try to obtain an example, including $1.148 million for one graded NGC PF 66 Ultra Cameo at a 2020 MDC Monaco sale. The example shown here, which has the same numeric grade but also NGC's Star Designation for exceptional eye appeal, is being offered at a Heritage sale in August 2021. Learn more: Click here.
The coin: Great Britain 1945 Silver Threepence The grade: NGC MS 63 Why it's special: The advent of a 12-sided nickel-brass threepence made the 1945 Silver Threepence unnecessary. The ones that were struck in silver were supposed to have been melted down. This coin, only the second silver one to come to auction, realized about $74,000 in a Baldwin's of St. James's sale in March 2020. Adding to its charming backstory: It was found in an ordinary Whitman folder. Learn more: Click here.
Chinese Coins
The coin: China 1910 Yunnan "Spring Dollar" The grade: NGC AU 58 The pedigree: Dr. Norman Jacobs Why it's special: The "Spring Dollar" is one of China's most intriguing numismatic rarities, as it features a season as part of its date. They may have been struck as presentation pieces for the completion of an important rail line in the Yunnan region. This example is the finest of the three known, and it realized $660,000 in a Heritage sale in 2020. Learn more: Click here.The coin: China 1907 Gold Tael The grade: NGC MS 64 Why it's special: As the imperial era wound down, China struck a limited number of gold patterns for a Tael. The ambitious plan for circulating gold coins never came to fruition because China's gold reserves were modest. This high-grade example realized $324,000, double its pre-auction estimate, at a Stack’s Bowers sale in April 2021. Learn more: Click here.
The coin: China (1911) Long-Whiskered Dragon Silver Dollar The grade: NGC MS 64 The pedigree: NC Collection Why it's special: The NGC-graded NC Collection realized $18 million at a Champion Macau auction in May 2021, a record for a Chinese collection at auction. This Long Whiskered Dragon realized $1.34 million in that sale. It is the finest-known example of a much-admired coin designed by famed coin designer Luigi Giorgi. Learn more: Click here.
The coin: China (1914) Giorgi Pattern Silver Dollar The grade: NGC SP 61 Why it's special: Chinese coins with a special connection to Luigi Giorgi have a cherished place in Chinese numismatics. His tenure as chief engraver at the Tientsin Mint overlapped with the end of the imperial era and the beginning of the republic. This 1914 pattern shows Yuan Shih-kai, China's first president. The so-called "Fat Man" coin design was used even after his death in 1916. The letters "L. GIORGI" appear at the right of the obverse. Learn more: Click here.
The coin: China 1989 Dragon and Phoenix Pattern Gold 200 Yuan The grade: NGC PF 69 Ultra Cameo Why it's special: China released its famous 1990 Dragon and Phoenix coins in four denominations in 1990. Extremely rare patterns with a 1989 date exist for these coins as well, including this example of the highest denomination. It realized $408,000 at a Heritage sale in 2017 in Hong Kong, China. Learn more: Click here.
Other Incredible World Coins
The coin: India (1605) Half Mohur The grade: NGC XF Details Why it's special: This Mohur dates to the Mughal Empire in India and was issued by Emperor Akbar. Though he had a Sunni Muslim background, he demonstrated a desire for peaceful co-existence with those of other faiths. This coin, issued shortly before his death, combines Islamic and Hindu symbolism. It realized about $383,000 at a Walker’s Fine Art & Estate Auctioneers sale in Canada in 2019. Learn more: Click here.The coin: Mexico 1713MXO J Royal 8 Escudos The grade: NGC MS 66 The pedigree: 1715 Fleet Why it's special: This coin, known as a "Royal," was struck with exceptional care because it was intended for the most elite members of society. Its planchet was unlike the irregular and thick Spanish cobs issued at the time. It is pedigreed to the 1715 Fleet, a group of Spanish ships that sunk in a hurricane off Florida that summer while en route to Spain. This coin realized $396,000 in 2020. Learn more: Click here.
The coin: Russia 1825 Constantine Rouble The grade: NGC PF 62 The pedigree: Joseph/Richter, Spassky Plate Why it's special: This Russian coin set the record for most expensive world coin in a Stack's Bowers auction when it realized $2.64 million in April 2021. It was struck for Constantine, who was expected to become emperor after his brother’s death in 1825 but refused to take the throne. Only eight of these coins are known, including three in museums. Learn more: Click here.
The coin: France 1848A Gold Essai 5 Francs The grade: NGC PF 65+ The pedigree: Farouk Why it's special: This essai (or pattern) was struck shortly after the Revolution of 1848. A total of 35 different design types were produced for the 5 Franc coin, all struck in silver, bronze and white metal, except for one that was struck in gold. The present specimen is the only known survivor from an initial mintage that was likely only one or two coins. Learn more: Click here.
The coin: 1909 Korea 20 Won The grade: NGC MS 64 The pedigree: Dr. Norman Jacobs Collection Why it's special: This rarity was struck during the brief reign of the last emperor of Korea, who abdicated in 1910. It realized $632,500 at a Heritage sale in 2011. NGC-certified Gold 5 Won and Gold 10 Won coins were also offered in the same sale, realizing $460,000 and $299,000 respectively. The Heritage listing for each of these extreme rarities noted that it was the only example available to collectors. Learn more: Click here.
Interesting Sets and Renowned Collections
The coin: 1915-S Panama-Pacific Octagonal $50 The grade: NGC MS 65 The pedigree: Original Double Panama-Pacific Set Why it's special: This example of the highest coin denomination ever issued by the US Mint (at the time) is among the higher graded, and it's even more special because it was part of a "double set," a group of 10 coins that were displayed in a case so that the obverse and reverse of each coin was visible. This coin realized $138,000 at a Heritage sale in 2018; its empty case realized another $18,000. Learn more: Click here.The coin: China (1897) Ferracute Pattern Silver Dollar The grade: NGC SP 65 The pedigree: American Trading Co. Why it's special: An extremely rare group of 10 Chinese coins known as an 1897 Szechuan Ferracute Pattern Set realized $1.02 million at a Heritage sale in 2019. Only three complete sets are known of this group of coins, which were struck by the Ferracute Machine Company in New Jersey to demonstrate its presses for a minting facility in Szechuan Province. View the collection at NGCcoin.com/Ferracute Learn more: Click here.
The coin: (1942) Blue Ridge Glass Corp. Token The grade: NGC MS 64 Why it's special: During World War II, the US Mint looked at ways to preserve copper for the war effort, even switching to steel cents in 1943. Other compositions were considered, including glass. In 2017, NGC certified a group of 17 glass patterns created by the Blue Ridge Glass Corp. as part of the experimentation with alternative materials. View the collection at NGCcoin.com/GlassCents Learn more: Click here.
The coin: China 1993 Two Peacocks Silver 150 Yuan - Devices Near to Rim The grade: NGC PF 69 Ultra Cameo The pedigree: Hercules Collection Why it's special: The Hercules Collection is an outstanding group of more than 2,000 modern Chinese coins, including Pandas, Unicorns and Lunars struck in a dizzying array of denominations and metals. Among the highlights is this Silver 150 Yuan, which is the "Devices Near to Rim" variety. View the collection at NGCcoin.com/Hercules. Learn more: Click here.
The coin: Polynesia 1976 Nickel-Brass Essai 100 Francs The grade: NGC MS 68 The pedigree: Hubert Lariviere Collection Why it's special: Hubert Lariviere, the former chief engraver of the Monnaie de Paris, assembled an impressive collection of coins from his decades there. Many of them are patterns and most are from France or nations formerly under French rule. The coin shown here is an essai (pattern) for French Polynesia. View the collection at NGCcoin.com/Lariviere Learn more: Click here.
Wait, there's more…
The coin: 2019-W Silver Eagle attributed to US Pride of Two Nations Set The grade: NGC Enhanced Reverse PF 70 Why it's special: NGC has certified more than 12 million American Silver Eagles, far exceeding any other coin grading service. This particular Silver Eagle was issued in a set called "The Pride of Two Nations," which also featured a Canadian Silver Maple Leaf. Excitement is high this year as both the Silver Eagle and the Gold Eagle are getting new reverse designs. Learn more: Click here.The coin: New Jersey circa 1670 Gold St. Patrick Farthing The grade: NGC AU Details The pedigree: Donald G. Partrick Collection Why it's special: Before the US Mint, American colonists used coinage of major European powers as well as some innovative issues. This circa 1670 Gold St. Patrick Farthing is unique because of its composition, but copper versions of this coin circulated in New Jersey. The coin realized $96,000 at a Heritage sale in March 2021. Learn more: Click here.
The coin: Mint Cancelled 2007-D Quarter Struck on an Incorrect Planchet The grade: NGC Mint Error Why it's special: The US Mint has been cancelling error coins as part of its quality control process since 2004. A machine flattens and distorts the coins, making them appear waffle-like. Usually, this obliterates the design, but in the case of this coin, the original error is clear: A Washington State Quarter was struck on a planchet intended for a Sacagawea Dollar. Learn more: Click here.
The coin: 1904 Panama 2.5 Centesimos The grade: NGC MS 62 The pedigree: Richard Stuart Collection Why it's special: Commonly called the “Panama Pill,” this is the smallest coin ever struck by the United States government (which has produced coins for Panama and dozens of other countries). It has a diameter of only 10 millimeters and weighs around 1.25 grams, about as much as a large paperclip! To view NGC's Richard Stuart Collection Gallery, go to NGCcoin.com/gallery/Stuart. Learn more: Click here.
The coin: Australia 2014 10 Kilogram Year of the Horse Gold $30,000 The grade: NGC MS 69 Ultra Cameo The pedigree: C.S. Wong Why it's special: This 10-kilogram coin, containing over half a million dollars in gold (at its June 2021 price) is one of the largest that NGC has ever certified. At 180 millimeters (7.1 inches) in diameter, it's so large that it requires the NGC Mega Holder. Issued to celebrate the Year of the Horse, it came from a maximum mintage of 10. Learn more: Click here.
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