1820 5 Sovereign Among Astounding NGC-certified Rarities in Künker Auction

An extremely rare British coin and a possibly unique European medal are among over 200 vintage rarities certified by Numismatic Guaranty Company® (NGC®) in an upcoming Künker Münzauktionen und Goldhandel sale. Bidding is already underway for these rarities, which are expected to realize six-figure prices in Auction 400, being held February 1, 2024.

Among the most desirable coins in British numismatics are the 1820 Gold Pattern 5 Sovereigns. This auction has an example graded NGC PF 64★ Cameo (lot 497), with an estimate of €150,000 (about $163,000). The obverse shows King George III, who reigned from 1760 to 1820, while the reverse shows Benedetto Pistrucci's masterful Saint George and the Dragon, which is still in use today. This extremely rare coin is of the W&R-178 variety, which has a plain edge.

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While George III ruled the United Kingdom in the late 18th century, Central Europe was under the reign of the Habsburgs, including Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II, who was enthroned from 1765 to 1790. He is shown on this Italy (circa 1780) Milan Gold Medal in the weight of 10 Ducats graded NGC XF 45 and pedigreed to the Paramount Collection (lot 378). The other side of the medal features the bust of his mother, Empress Maria Theresa, with whom he shared power until 1780. The medal, which is believed to be extremely rare and possibly unique, has an estimate of €150,000 (about $163,000).

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Other NGC-certified coins in the auction include:

• an Austria 1660 CA Vienna 10 Ducats graded NGC MS 61 (lot 344), which has an estimate of €125,000 (about $136,000)
• a Poland 1596-dated Herman Rudiger Gold Medal graded NGC AU 58 (lot 584), which has an estimate of €100,000 (about $109,000)
• a Hungary 1607 Transylvania 10 Ducats graded NGC AU 55+ (lot 705), which has an estimate of €100,000 (about $109,000)
• an Austria 1754 Vienna 10 Ducats - Maria Theresa graded NGC AU 55 and pedigreed to the Koehlmoos Collection (lot 373), which has an estimate of €80,000 (about $87,000)
• a Hungary 1695KV Transylvania 10 Ducats graded NGC AU 58 (lot 360), which has an estimate of €75,000 (about $82,000)
• an Italy 1810 Naples and Sicily 40 Franchi graded NGC AU 55 (lot 529), which has an estimate of €60,000 (about $65,000)
• an England 1701 Plain Sceptres 5 Guineas graded NGC MS 61 (lot 494), which has an estimate of €60,000 (about $65,000)
• an Austria 1690/89 IAN Graz 5 Ducats graded NGC MS 62 (lot 357), which has an estimate of €50,000 (about $54,000)
• a France 1815 Essai Gold 5 Francs graded NGC AU 58 (lot 475), which has an estimate of €50,000 (about $54,000)

Estimates are provided by the auction house.