NAC Offers Edward VIII Pattern and Other World Rarities Certified by NGC

A pattern created for a British king who ruled for less than a year and a seldom-seen gold coin from Italy are among many rare and high-grade European coins certified by NGC® in upcoming auction sessions. Online bidding is already underway for Auction 172 and Auction 173, which are being presented by Numismatica Ars Classica (NAC) on November 19, 2026.

Among the highlights of Auction 172 is a Great Britain 1937 Edward VIII Bronze Pattern Penny pedigreed to the Waterbird Collection and graded NGC PF 63+ RB (lot 1682), with an estimate of 175,000 CHF (about $211,000). Only six examples of this rare coin are known to have been struck in anticipation of a new royal coinage that never entered circulation. The coin features Edward VIII facing left, breaking with the tradition of reversing the direction of the preceding monarch's portrait. Edward's abdication on December 10, 1936, abruptly ended plans for the new coinage. Originally part of one of just six complete sets of the proposed coinage, the example offered here is the only known Edward VIII Pattern Penny available to collectors as an individual coin.

Other NGC-certified coins in Auction 172 include:

• a Great Britain 1839 Una and the Lion 5 Sovereign graded NGC PF 62 Ultra Cameo (lot 1679), with an estimate of 150,000 CHF (about $181,000)
• a Romania 1868 Gold Pattern 20 Lei graded NGC PF 62 Ultra Cameo (lot 1708), with an estimate of 150,000 CHF (about $181,000)
• an England 1553 Sovereign graded NGC AU 55 (lot 1654), with an estimate of 40,000 CHF (about $48,000)
• an England 1683/2 5 Guinea graded NGC MS 61 (lot 1674), with an estimate of 40,000 CHF (about $48,000)
• an England (1605-06) Ryal graded NGC AU 58 (lot 1660), with an estimate of 30,000 CHF (about $36,000)

Struck a decade earlier, an Italy 1928R VI Gold 20 Lire Oro Prova graded NGC MS 62 (Auction 173, lot 1845) has a starting price of 250,000 CHF (about $301,000). This rare coin was struck to commemorate the 10th anniversary of Italy's victory in World War I. This gold issue was not intended for circulation but was produced in extremely limited numbers for presentation to the highest-ranking figures of the Italian state, including the King and top military officials.

Other NGC-certified coins in Auction 173 include:

• an Italy 1677 Retegno 10 Zecchini graded NGC MS 62 (lot 1831), with an estimate of 150,000 CHF (about $181,000)
• an Italy 1756 Sardinia Mainland Coinage 5 Doppie graded NGC MS 62 (lot 1843), with an estimate of 75,000 CHF (about $90,000)
• an Italy 1923R 100 Lire graded NGC PF 61 Cameo (lot 1844), with an estimate of 75,000 CHF (about $90,000)
• an Italy 1768 Venice 10 Zecchini graded NGC MS 61 (lot 1848), with an estimate of 75,000 CHF (about $90,000)
• an Order of Malta 1721 4 Zecchini graded NGC AU Details (lot 1810), with an estimate of 15,000 CHF (about $18,000)

Estimates are provided by the auction house. The $ symbol indicates US Dollars.