DALLAS, TX.- A gorgeous Victoria gold Proof “Una and the Lion” 5 Pounds 1839 PR66★ Ultra Cameo NGC soared past pre-auction expectations to $915,000 to lead Heritage’s NYINC auctions to $26,430,164.

The remarkable result lifted the NYINC World & Ancient Coins Platinum Session and Signature® Auction to $21,767,432, the World & Ancient Coins Signature Auction to $3,742,749 and the Jan. 19 Physical Cryptocurrency Featuring the Otoh Collection, Part VI Signature® Auction to $919,983.

The event followed Heritage’s FUN numismatic auctions, which totaled $63,386,877. Combining the events brings the total for the month of January to $89,817,041.

“Our marquee NYINC auction was a resounding success on all fronts, with the highest prices realized for some of numismatics’ greatest trophies,” says Kyle Johnson, Heritage’s Managing Director of World & Ancient Coins. “This extraordinary event bolstered many collections with the addition of elite coins from around the globe, and reaffirmed Heritage’s place atop the world and ancient coins market.”

The Una and the Lion 5 Pounds always is pursued by serious collectors. Few issues in all of numismatics are as prized as Royal Mint Engraver William Wyon’s most popular coin. It has enjoyed such popularity since its inception more than 180 years ago that it was revived by the Royal Mint in 2019. Of the 155 currently receiving straight grades by both major grading services, only one specimen carries a grade one point higher.

Leading the auction’s ancient coins selection was a LYDIAN KINGDOM. Croesus (561-546 BC). AV stater (16mm, 10.77 gm). NGC Gem MS★ 5/5 - 5/5, Fine Style from the Cambridge Collection that more than quadrupled its high pre-auction estimate, shattering the record for the most expensive Croesus issue ever at $536,800. Dubbed the “Missing Link” stater, it was not the only one from the Cambridge Collection that blew away pre-auction expectations in the auction: a Prototype Lydian Croesus AV stater NGC Choice MS 5/5 - 5/5 that mimics the earlier Lydian electrum coinage climbed to $390,400.

The auction included multiple exceptional numismatic collections, among them the Peh Family Collection, Part IV — an assemblage that reflects the vision and passion of its principal collector, whose fascination with history was constant, inspiring him to pursue numismatics as a means of connecting with the past.

Among the Peh Family Collection’s top highlights from the collection was a Charles I gold Triple Unite 1643 MS63 NGC that surged to more than triple its high pre-auction estimate when it sold for $463,600. It is the only example of this variety certified by NGC and one of the top five highest-graded across all varieties and dates.

Other top results from the collection included, but were not limited to:

• $292,800: a George III silver Proof Pattern “Three Graces” Crown 1817 PR62 Ultra Cameo NGC

• $244,000: a Victoria gold Proof “Una and the Lion” 5 Pounds 1839 PR63 Ultra Cameo NGC

• $103,700: a SICILY. Syracuse. Dionysius I (405-370 BC). AR decadrachm NGC Choice XF★ 5/5 - 5/5, Fine Style

A Danish Asiatic Company. Christian VII Piastre 1771-Dated (1774) MS66 NGC also referred to as the “Greenland Dollar” from the Eternal Collection, Part III nearly tripled its high pre-auction estimate when it finished at $414,800 — the most ever paid for any Greenland Dollar. It is an incredibly rare, almost mythic Crown-sized trade issue struck by the Danish Asiatic Company in an effort to establish greater economic influence in Asia. The coin offered in this auction is a 1774 production of the 1771 dated issue — rare, but not quite as rare as the originals, from a current survival pool of approximately 20 pieces.

Four extraordinary lots closed at $292,800, including three ancients: an exceptional MACEDONIAN KINGDOM. Alexander III the Great (336-323 BC). AV distater NGC MS★ 5/5 - 4/5, Fine Style, a Manlia Scantilla (AD 193). AV aureus NGC Choice AU 5/5 - 4/5 that is the finest certified Mania Scantilla Aureus and a rare CARIAN SATRAPS. Pixodarus (ca. 341-336/5 BC). AR tetradrachm NGC MS★ 5/5 - 5/5, Fine Style.

Reaching the same $292,800 result was a British George III silver Proof Pattern “Three Graces” Crown 1817 PR62 Ultra Cameo NGC from a minuscule mintage of 50 — of which this is the only example certified as Ultra Cameo.

Another record was set when a Polish gold Specimen Pattern 5 Zlotych 1925-(w) SP63 PCGS from the Eternal Collection drew a winning bid of $268,400. Once a part of the King Farouk Collection, this unique Pattern from the Warsaw mint is considered one of the crown jewels of 20th-century Polish numismatics. The 81-pearl gold specimen, presumed unique in this particular variety, was the coin offered in this auction and is thought to be the only one of the four gold “Constitution” examples ever offered at auction, leading to the belief that it is the only one in private hands.

Another record was set when a German Colony. Wilhelm II gold Proof 20 Mark 1895-A PR67 Ultra Cameo NGC soared to $213,500, the highest price ever paid for any issue of German New Guinea. The king of the Bird of Paradise series from 1894-95 is the largest denomination struck for German New Guinea and one of only two gold issues produced. This example of a coin that is widely recognized as among the most attractive numismatic designs ever created is the only piece to be graded at the Superb Gem Proof tier in combination with an Ultra Cameo designation, the closest being a PR67 in Cameo also at NGC and the Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr. specimen residing in a PR66 Deep Cameo PCGS holder.

Physical Cryptocurrency Featuring the Otoh Collection, Part VI

A Casascius brass “Casacius” Loaded (Unredeemed) 1 Bitcoin (BTC) 2011 MS66 NGC sold for $103,700 to lead the event. This bitcoin is one of 30 lots in the Otoh Collection that were sold in the auction. Among the most intriguing early artifacts of cryptocurrency history, the Casascius 2011 Series 1 “Error” coin holds a distinct place in collector circles. Produced by Mike Caldwell during the formative years of Bitcoin, this series features a well-known misprint — “CASACIUS” instead of the correct “CASASCIUS” — a manufacturing oversight that has only heightened interest among numismatists and digital currency enthusiasts alike. Combining the physicality of a minted token with the trailblazing spirit of decentralized finance, the coin stands as a testament to the experimental and often improvised nature of Bitcoin’s early adoption.

Also reaching six figures was a Casascius brass Loaded (Unredeemed) 1 Bitcoin (BTC) 2013 MS67 NGC. A hallmark of early cryptocurrency history, this Casascius physical bitcoin embodies the enduring legacy of Caldwell’s visionary creations. Fusing the tactile appeal of traditional coinage with the pioneering spirit of digital currency, it remains a cornerstone for collectors at the intersection of numismatics and technology.

A Casascius gold Proof Unloaded (Unfunded) “Gold Cas” 1000 Bitcoin (BTC) 2012 PR69 Ultra Cameo NGC, an extraordinary example of the legendary “Gold Cas” 1000 Bitcoin Casascius coin, drew 74 bids on its way to $97,600. Struck from one ounce of pure gold, this exceptional example of the legendary “Gold Cas” 1000 Bitcoin Casascius coin is an NGC Top Pop piece, currently tied with five others.

Other top results included, but were not limited to:

• $53,680: a BTCC clay composite Loaded (Unredeemed) “Poker Chip” 0.5 Bitcoin (BTC) ND (2016) MS70 NGC

• $53,680: a Lealana silver Proof Loaded (Unredeemed) 0.5 Bitcoin (BTC) 2013 PR69 Ultra Cameo NGC

• $51,240: BTCC clay composite Loaded (Unredeemed) “Poker Chip” 0.5 Bitcoin (BTC) ND (2017) MS70 PCGS

• $51,240: a BTCC titanium Loaded (Unredeemed) 0.5 Bitcoin (BTC) 2016 MS69 PCGS