NGC-certified Russian Coin Celebrating Tsar's Family Being Offered in October Auction

A fascinating coin known as one of the most desirable and important coins from 19th-century Russia is joined by more than 1,000 coins certified by Numismatic Guaranty Company™ (NGC®) in an auction by Monaco-based Editions V. Gadoury. Online bidding is now open for the sale — Ancient, Monaco, French, British, Italian, House of Savoy, Russian & USA Coins — taking place October 22-23, 2021.

The exceedingly rare ‘Imperial Family Rouble’

For collectors of Russian rarities, the highlight of the sale is a Russia 1836 Imperial Family 1.5 Roubles graded NGC MS 65 (lot 1897). Only 150 of these were issued to commemorate the 10-year reign of Emperor Nicholas I. They were inspired by an 1828 Taler depicting the family of the Bavarian King Ludwig I. This one has a starting price of €50,000 (about $58,000 USD).

Russia 1836 Imperial Family 1.5 Roubles graded NGC MS 65 Click images to enlarge.

The coin features on its obverse a portrait of Nicholas I and on the reverse a portrait of his wife, Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, surrounded by their children — Alexander (future Emperor Alexander II), Maria, Olga, Constantine, Nicholas, Michael and Alexandra. Nicholas I ruled from 1825 until his death on March 2, 1855. He helped defeat the Ottoman Empire in the Russo-Turkish War (1828-29) but later suffered a humiliating setback in the Crimean War (1853-56).

Security of the times

Also featured in the auction is a Roman Empire, Macrinus (A.D. 217-218) Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients MS★, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface with Fine Style (lot 143) with a starting bid of €50,000 (about $58,000 USD). The coin’s obverse features a portrait of Roman Emperor Macrinus, while the reverse depicts Securitas (the goddess Security) leaning on a column and the legend SECVRITAS TEMPORVM (“Security of the Times”). Macrinus ruled for a little over a year before his predecessor's aunt instigated a rebellion that left him and his son dead.

Roman Empire, Macrinus (A.D. 217-218) Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients MS★, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface with Fine Style Click images to enlarge.

Italy’s Plowwoman

The two coins with the highest estimates in the sale were both minted to honor King Victor Emmanuel III, who ruled the Kingdom of Italy from 1900 to 1946. Both also feature a famous design representing Italy’s agricultural roots. The Italy 1927R Gold 100 Lire graded NGC MS 63+ (lot 1734) has a starting price of €140,000 (about $162,000 USD) and the Italy 1910R Gold 20 Lire graded NGC MS 62 (lot 1764) has a starting price of €100,000 (about $116,000 USD).

Italy 1927R Gold 100 Lire graded NGC MS 63+ Click images to enlarge.

Italy 1910R Gold 20 Lire graded NGC MS 62 Click images to enlarge.

The obverse of each coin features a portrait of King Victor Emmanuel III, while their reverses feature a plowwoman, or “aratrice,” designed by Egidio Boninsegna and engraved by Luigi Giorgi, chief engraver of the Royal Mint of Rome. The aratrice is an allegoric representation of agricultural Italy.

The 1927R 100 Lire was minted to include in gold sets intended for collectors only. None were released into circulation. And the 1910R 20 Lire is one of only six suspected to survive, as many of the 1910 gold coins were melted because of an issue with the composition of the gold. This coin is the only one that NGC has graded.

More world coins featured in the sale

Other NGC-certified highlights in the sale include:

• an Italy (1735-41) ZF Venice Alvise Pisani Gold Ducato graded NGC MS 61 (lot 1528) with a starting price of €80.000 (about $93,000 USD)
• an Italy 1927R 50 Lire graded NGC MS 66 (lot 1733) with a starting price of €70,000 (about $81,000 USD)
• a group of three Italy 1940 20 Lire, 10 Lire and 5 Lire coins graded NGC MS 65+, NGC MS 66 and NGC MS 64 (lot 1753) with a starting bid of €70,000 (about $81,000 USD)
• an Italy 1810 Naples and Sicily 40 Franchi graded NGC AU 53 (lot 1321) with a starting bid of €60,000 (about $70,000 USD)
• an Italy 1773 Sardinia 5 Doppie graded NGC AU 58 (lot 1639) with a starting bid of €60,000 (about $70,000 USD)
• a Great Britain 1820 Gold Pattern 2 Sovereign graded NGC PF 62 Ultra Cameo (lot 1000) with a starting bid of €50,000 (about $58,000 USD)
• an Italy 1912 Prova 20 Lire graded NGC MS 66 (lot 1765) with a starting bid of €50,000 (about $58,000 USD)

All starting prices provided by the auction house.