Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) announced on Wednesday the creation of a new division and a series of services for attributing and grading ancient coins that will kick-off on January 1, 2009.

David Vagi, author of Coinage and History of the Roman Empire, will lead the division entitled NGC Ancients, which NGC says will certify "most coins struck in the Western World through circa A.D. 500, as well as coins of the Byzantine Empire."

"I’m thrilled to join NGC at a critical moment in the growth of the ancient coin market. The marketplace and third-party grading have both matured in such a way to make an ancients program not only possible, but necessary," said Vagi, Grading Finalizer and Director of NGC Ancients.

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(New Orleans, Louisiana) – The 1844-O proof Eagle, a one-of-a-kind gold coin struck at the New Orleans Mint 164 years ago, has returned "home" to the Louisiana State Museum – Old U.S. Mint with the help of New Orleans coin dealer, Paul Hollis. 

The unique, $10 denomination gold piece apparently was specially struck as a presentation piece, and over the decades it’s been in the famous coin collections of a former U.S. Treasury Secretary and an early 20th century Chicago beer baron.

It is certified by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation as Proof-65 Ultra Cameo, and now insured for $2.5 million for an upcoming exhibition.

"This coin is certainly among the most important Southern gold coins ever struck, combining rarity, beauty, technical quality and a fascinating story," said Mark Salzberg, NGC Chairman. 

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(Baltimore, Maryland) – The Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG) presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to well-known researcher, author and rare coin dealer John "J.D." Dannreuther of Memphis, Tennessee. 

The surprise presentation of the award was made during the organization’s annual PNG Day banquet conducted this year in Baltimore, Maryland.

Dannreuther joined the PNG in 1978.

"John Dannreuther is getting the Lifetime Achievement Award for over 30 years of dedication and devoted service to numismatics. 

John is one of the founders of the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) and one of the nation’s top numismatic scholars. 

Although John certainly has ‘paid his dues,’ he continues to serve our profession and hobby as a teacher, dealer, researcher and writer," said PNG Board Member and Immediate Past President Jeff Garrett of Lexington, Kentucky who presented the award.

The Abe Kosoff Award, named after PNG’s Founding President and presented to a PNG member who has made a significant contribution to the Guild or the numismatic fraternity the past year, was given to Mark Salzberg, Chief Executive Officer of Numismatic Guaranty Corp. 

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