Rarities Certified by NGC and PMG Showcased in Maison Palombo Sale

Ancient and world coins certified by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation® (NGC®) and banknotes certified by Paper Money Guaranty® (PMG®) are among the highlights in Maison Palombo’s upcoming Auction 19 sale on December 12, 2020 in Geneva, Switzerland. Online bidding is now open.

Roman Empire - Septimius Severus A.D. 193-211 Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients Gem MS, 5/5 Strike and 5/5 Surface, with Fine Style Click images to enlarge.

One of the most anticipated coins in the sale is a Roman Empire – Septimius Severus A.D. 193-211 Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients Gem MS, 5/5 Strike and 5/5 Surface, with Fine Style that has a starting price of 80,000 CHF (about $87,000 USD). The obverse features a bold portrait of Emperor Septimius Severus, the first Roman emperor of African descent and successor to Didius Julianus. He ruthlessly seized power after the death of Emperor Pertinax in A.D. 193 and ignited a civil war.

France 1900A Paris 50 Francs graded NGC PF 64 Cameo Click images to enlarge.

Another standout of the sale is a France 1900A Paris 50 Francs graded NGC PF 64 Cameo that has a starting price of 70,000 CHF (about $76,200 USD). The obverse features a Standing Genius writing the constitution and was likely struck at the 1900 Paris Exhibition, a world fair that celebrated the achievements of the past century and encouraged future innovation. The gold rarity is one of only about 10 known.

"We are proud to have worked with NGC and PMG for many years," said César Palombo. "The quality of their services is greatly appreciated by our clients, providing them with guarantee and confidence in our finest coins."

Other NGC-certified highlights include:

• a Greece 1876A 5 Drachmas graded NGC MS 68, with a starting price of 30,000 CHF (about $33,000 USD)
• a France 1866A Gold 100 Francs graded NGC MS 65+, with an estimate of 28,000 CHF (about $30,600 USD)
• a Roman Empire - Crispina A.D. 180-183 Gold Aureus graded NGC Ancients MS, 5/5 Strike and 4/5 Surface, with a starting price of 24,000 CHF (about $26,400 USD)
• a Colombia 1874/3 Gold 20 Pesos graded NGC MS 64, with a starting price of 9,000 CHF (about $9,800 USD)
• a France 1848 Silver Pattern 5 Francs graded NGC MS 64, with a starting price of 7,000 CHF (about $7,700 USD)
• a Monaco 1884A 100 Francs graded NGC MS 64, with a starting price of 4,000 CHF (about $4,400 USD)
• a Roman Empire - Caracalla A.D. 198-217 Denarius graded NGC Ancients Gem MS★, 5/5 Strike and 5/5 Surface, with an estimate of 1,000 CHF (about $1,100 USD)
• a France 1853 Centime graded NGC MS 68 BN, with a starting price of 900 CHF (about $980 USD)

A rare Vietnam - South, National Bank ND (1955-1956) 1,000 Dông Specimen graded PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated with a starting price of 20,000 CHF (about $22,000 USD) is one of the most highly sought-after Vietnamese banknotes available on the market. The Old Man design featured on the front of the note signifies dedication and longevity for the Republic of Vietnam. Likely due to the war, the design never made it past the Proof and Specimen stages and was produced in very limited quantities.

Other PMG-certified highlights include:

• a French Indo-China, Banque de l'Indo-Chine 1919 20 Cents graded PMG 66 Gem Uncirculated EPQ, with a starting price of 6,000 CHF (about $6,500 USD)
• a China, Banque Industrielle de Chine 1914 Peking 500 Dollars Specimen graded PMG 63 Choice Uncirculated, with a starting price of 5,400 CHF (about $5,900 USD)
• a China, Banque Industrielle de Chine 1914 Shanghai 500 Dollars Specimen graded PMG 63 Choice Uncirculated, with a starting price of 5,400 CHF (about $5,900 USD)
• a Indochina 1920 Continental Palace Saïgon 5 Centimes graded PMG 65 Gem Uncirculated EPQ, with a starting price of 5,000 CHF (about $5,500 USD)
• a Cambodia ND (1956-1958) 500 Riels Front and Back Proofs graded PMG 64 Choice Uncirculated and PMG 65 Gem Uncirculated EPQ, with a starting price of 5,000 CHF (about $5,500 USD)
• a France 1959 5,000 Francs Specimen overprinted with ND (1959) 50 Nouveaux Francs graded PMG 67 Superb Gem Uncirculated EPQ, with a starting price of 5,000 CHF (about $5,500 USD)
• a French India 50 Rupies Specimen graded PMG 66 Gem Uncirculated EPQ, with a starting price of 4,000 CHF (about $4,400 USD)
• a Libya (1964) 20 Pounds Front and Back Printer's Proofs graded PMG 65 Gem Uncirculated EPQ and PMG 67 Superb Gem Uncirculated EPQ, with a starting price of 4,000 CHF (about $4,400 USD)

All starting prices provided by the auction house.