Magnificent Macrinus Aureus Certified by NGC Ancients Stars in Upcoming Sale

Posted on 02/08/2021

The NGC Ancients-graded gold coin is expected to realize six figures in a Stack’s Bowers sale.

Hundreds of ancient coins certified by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation® (NGC®), including an exceptional rarity from an emperor’s brief reign, are being offered in a pair of sales. Bidding is already underway for Session D and Session E of Stack’s Bowers' American Numismatic Association Auctions, both being held August 21, 2021.

The impressive selections are led by a Roman Empire, Macrinus (A.D. 217-218) Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients Ch MS★, 5/5 Strike and 5/5 Surface with Fine Style (Session E, lot 43133) that has an estimate of $200,000 to $400,000. The obverse features a bust of the Roman emperor, while the reverse depicts Macrinus and his son, Diadumenian, distributing cash to the Roman populace. Macrinus ruled for a little over a year before his predecessor's aunt instigated a rebellion against him that left him and his son dead.

Roman Empire, Macrinus A.D. 217-218 Aureus graded NGC Ancients Ch MS★, 5/5 Strike and 5/5 Surface with Fine Style
Click images to enlarge.

Other ancient rarities are being offered by Stack’s Bowers in its ANA auctions, including in Session D, which is titled "The Collection of a Gentleman: an Advanced Collection of Greco-Roman Denominational Rarities." The top spot is occupied by a fascinating Silver 5 Shekels from ancient Sicily with the Carthaginian goddess Tanit on the obverse. The Siculo-Punic circa 264-260 B.C. 5 Shekels (or Decadrachm) graded NGC Ancients Ch XF, 5/5 Strike and 2/5 Surface with Fine Style (lot 42065) has an estimate of $30,000 to $50,000.

Sicily, Siculo-Punic circa 264-260 B.C. 5 Shekels (or Decadrachm) graded NGC Ancients Ch XF, 5/5 Strike and 2/5 Surface with Fine Style
Click images to enlarge.

Other rarities certified by NGC Ancients being offered include:

In Session D:

  • a Ptolemaic Kingdom Arsinoe II (d. 270/68 B.C.) Octodrachm issued after c. 193/2 B.C. graded NGC Ancients Ch MS, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface (lot 42195) with an estimate of $30,000 to $50,000
  • a Calabria, Taras circa 334-330 B.C. Stater graded NGC Ancients Ch VF, 4/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface with Fine Style (lot 42022) with an estimate of $20,000 to $30,000
  • a Kingdom of Macedon Alexander III 336-323 B.C. Gold Distater graded NGC Ancients Ch XF, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface (lot 42071) with an estimate of $20,000 to $40,000
  • a Sicily, Syracuse circa 405-370 B.C. (Euainetos) Silver Decadrachm graded NGC Ancients Ch XF, 4/5 Strike and 2/5 Surface with Fine Style (lot 42053) with an estimate of $20,000 to $30,000
  • a Roman Imperatorial Julius Caesar (d. 44 B.C.) circa 46 B.C. Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients Ch AU★, 5/5 Strike and 5/5 Surface (lot 42211) with an estimate of $20,000 to $30,000

In Session E:

  • a Roman Empire Otho A.D. 69 Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients Ch XF, 4/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface (lot 43118) with an estimate of $50,000 to $75,000
  • a Roman Empire Florian A.D. 276 Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients MS, 5/5 Strike and 3/5 Surface with Fine Style (lot 43136) with an estimate of $50,000 to $75,000
  • a Sicily, Gela circa 415-405 B.C. Tetradrachm graded NGC Ancients AU, 4/5 Strike and 5/5 Surface with Fine Style (lot 43010) with an estimate of $40,000 to $50,000
  • a Roman Empire Galba A.D. 68-69 Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients XF, 5/5 Strike and 3/5 Surface (lot 43117) with an estimate of $30,000 to $50,000
  • a Roman Empire Vitellius A.D. 69 Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients Ch XF, 5/5 Strike and 3/5 Surface (lot 43120) with an estimate of $30,000 to $50,000

All estimates are provided by the auction house.

Related Links:


Stay Informed

Want news like this delivered to your inbox once a month? Subscribe to the free NGC eNewsletter today!

Thanks!

You've been subscribed to the NGC eNewsletter.

Unable to subscribe to our eNewsletter. Please try again later.

Articles List

Add Coin

Join NGC for free to add coins, track your collection and participate in the NGC Registry. Learn more >

Join NGC

Already a member? Sign In
Add to NGC Coin Registry Example
The NGC Registry is not endorsed by or associated with PCGS or CAC. PCGS is a registered trademark of Collectors Universe, Inc. CAC is a trademark of Certified Acceptance Corporation.