A historic 100 Escudos certified by Numismatic Guaranty Company (NGC) is expected to realize a price in the millions of dollars in an auction presented by Numismatica Genevensis SA (NGSA). Online bidding is already underway for Auction 22 – Masterpieces, which concludes on November 24, 2025.
The top NGC-certified highlight of the auction is a Spain 1609 C Segovia 100 Escudos graded NGC AU 58 (lot 314), with a starting price of CHF 2,000,000 (about $2,500,000). This historic coin is the first 100 Escudos ever struck, the highest denomination of this era in Spanish history. Weighing just over a third of a kilogram, this is the only vintage Spanish 100 Escudos in the NGC Census.
To the left of the shield on the obverse is the mintmark of Segovia, a city about 30 miles north of Madrid. The mintmark depicts the aqueduct built in that city during the Roman Empire. Learn more about this coin in a video narrated by Ben Wengel, NGC Chief Grader and Senior Vice President of World coins, here.
"In addition to this being a unique item, there’s also a personal tie-in with Spanish royalty that really elevates this coin’s status as a true trophy piece," Wengel said. "This is going to be a very highly anticipated coin when it crosses the auction block."
Another NGC-certified highlight of the auction is a Spain 1611/0 C Segovia 8 Escudos graded NGC AU 58 (lot 315), with a starting price of CHF 300,000 (about $376,000). Another Spanish rarity connected to King Philip III’s reign, which lasted from 1598 until his death in 1621, this is the first 8 Escudos piece (also known as an "onza") ever struck at the Royal Mint of Segovia. According to the auction house, this particular coin is also the only example of its issue known to exist today.
The auction also includes a rare England (1492) Sovereign – Henry VII graded NGC AU 50 (lot 231), with a starting price of CHF 500,000 (about $627,000). This is among the earliest gold Sovereigns available to collectors, representing not only the beginning of the Tudor dynasty but also the establishment of England as a major world power. The obverse depicts Henry VII seated on a wooden throne, in robes, and holding an orb and scepter, while the reverse features the quartered shield of England upon a Tudor rose. With a weight of 15.23 grams, this example represents the largest hammered gold coin of the Tudor period.
Another NGC-certified coin expected to realize a price well into the six figures is a Mexico 1729/7MO R/D 8 Escudos – Royal Coinage graded NGC MS 65 (lot 300), with a starting price of CHF 500,000 (about $627,000). Known as a "Royal" for the superb attention involved in the planchet and strike, this coin is the epitome of Spanish colonial numismatics. According to the auction house, only about 40 struck between 1695 and 1732 are known today, with the 1729 issue being among the rarest.
Other NGC-certified coins in this auction include:
- a Poland 1618 Lithuania 10 Ducats graded NGC AU 55 (lot 304), with a starting price of CHF 200,000 (about $251,000)
- an England 1662 Gold Crown — Off-Metal Strike graded NGC PF 62 (lot 238), with a starting price of CHF 200,000 (about $251,000)
- an England 1662 Gold Crown — Off-Metal Strike graded NGC PF 61 (lot 239), with a starting price of CHF 150,000 (about $188,000)
- a Spain 1637/6 R Segovia 8 Escudos graded NGC MS 64 (lot 317), with a starting price of CHF 75,000 (about $94,000)
- an England 1643 Oxford Triple Unite — Charles I graded NGC AU 55 (lot 236), with a starting price of CHF 75,000 (about $94,000)
- an England 1642 Oxford Triple Unite — Charles I graded NGC AU 55 (lot 234), with a starting price of CHF 50,000 (about $63,000)
- an Austria 1686 Salzburg 10 Ducats graded NGC AU 58 (lot 204), with a starting price of CHF 50,000 (about $63,000)
NGSA is also presenting a sale on November 25 titled Auction 23 — Modern Coins — The Half Crown Collection Part II. Some of the NGC-certified coins in this auction include:
- a Sarawak 1906H 50 Cents graded NGC SP 66 (lot 1166), with a starting price of CHF 3,000 (about $3,700)
- a Burma CS1214(1852) Kyat graded NGC MS 64 (lot 1002), with a starting price of CHF 1,000 (about $1,200)
- a US 1882 Half Dollar graded NGC MS 66 (lot 1430), with a starting price of CHF 500 (about $600)
Starting prices are provided by the auction house. The $ symbol represents US Dollars.
About Numismatic Guaranty Company® (NGC®)
NGC is the world’s largest and most trusted third-party grading service for coins, tokens and medals, with more than 60 million collectibles certified, including a 1787 Brasher Doubloon that sold for a record $9.36 million. Founded in 1987, NGC provides an accurate, consistent and impartial assessment of authenticity and grade, backed by the comprehensive NGC Guarantee, which gives collectors greater confidence. To learn more, visit NGCcoin.com.
