NGC-certified Gold Rarities Struck in Mexico Highlight Stack's Sale

Two rare gold coins struck in Mexico and certified by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation® (NGC®) are in the spotlight at a world coin auction presented by Stack's Bowers. Already underway, bidding wraps up on January 15 and 16, 2021 for the three main sessions (Session A - Ancient & World Coins Part 1; Session C - The Oro del Nuevo Mundo Collection; and Session D - World Coins Part 2).

The top coin in the auction is a 1711MXO J Mexico Royal 8 Escudos graded NGC MS 66 and pedigreed to the 1715 Fleet, which has an estimate of $250,000 to $350,000. Minted in Mexico City, this coin is known as a "Royal," a rare kind of presentation issue that required a strike and flan that were both exceptional.

1711MXO J Mexico Royal 8 Escudos graded NGC MS 66 and pedigreed to the 1715 Fleet. Click images to enlarge

The coin is pedigreed to the 1715 Plate Fleet, a group of Spanish ships that were lost in a hurricane off the coast of Florida while en route to Spain. Today, the region north of Miami is known as the Treasure Coast after this famous shipwreck.

Another gold rarity in the sale hails from a century later, as Mexico rebelled against Spanish rule. An 1812GA MR Mexico 4 Escudos graded NGC AU 55 has an estimate of $100,000 to $150,000. The one-year type shows Ferdinand VII, the Spanish king who lost nearly all of Spain's colonies by the time his rule ended in 1833 with his death.

1812GA MR Mexico 4 Escudos graded NGC AU 55. Click images to enlarge

The sale also features a rare Italy 1925R Prova 100 Lire graded NGC PF 67 Matte, which has an estimate of $125,000 to $175,000. Its design includes the dates 1900 (commemorating 25 years since Victor Emmanuel III's reign began) and 1915 (marking 10 years since Italy entered World War I on the side that eventually prevailed).

Italy 1925R Prova 100 Lire graded NGC PF 67 Matte. Click images to enlarge

Other NGC-certified highlights include:

• a Russia 1836 Imperial Family 1.5 Roubles graded NGC MS 62, with an estimate of $75,000 to $125,000
• a Germany 1516 Cologne Gold Real graded NGC VF Details, with an estimate of $90,000 to $120,000
• an Austria (1727-44) Salzburg Gold 24 Ducats graded NGC Medal AU 55, with an estimate of $70,000 to $100,000
• a Russia 1801-AI Silver Pattern Rouble graded NGC AU 55, with an estimate of $50,000 to $75,000
• a Calabria, Taras c.280-272 BC Gold Stater graded NGC Ancients MS, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface, with Fine Style, with an estimate of $50,000 to $70,000
• a Costa Rica 1873 Gold 20 Pesos graded NGC MS 61 and pedigreed to the Richard Stuart Collection, with an estimate of $70,000 to $90,000
• a Mexico 1916 TM Gold 60 Pesos graded NGC MS 62, with an estimate of $55,000 to $75,000
• a Mexico 1747MO MF 8 Escudos graded NGC AU 58, with an estimate of $45,000 to $55,000
• an Austria (1657-1705) 6 Ducats graded NGC MS 61, with an estimate of $45,000 to $70,000

All estimates are provided by the auction house.