More than 200 Roman gold coins from the exceptional Dimitriadis Collection have been authenticated and graded by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC), the company announced Thursday, March 20, 2014.
Amassed over a 20-year period by Andre Constantine Dimitriadis, a California collector who founded LTC Properties, NGC describes the collection as having "extremely rare and pristine-quality" pieces struck circa 50 BC to AD 500.
"The Dimitriadis Collection is a truly impressive group of coins that will attract the interest of many collectors, both veterans and those new to the market," said David Vagi, Director of NGC Ancients.
Vagi added that the coins are sure to attract wide interest given the number of museum-quality specimens and some rarities seldom made available.
This collection will go under the hammer on April 10, sold by Heritage Auctions, at the Chicago International Coin Fair (CICF).
"Because of the quality of coins in the Dimitriadis Collection, we wanted to use NGC," said David Michaels, Heritage Auctions Director of Ancient Coins. "We are certain that third-party grading of ancients is paramount to the continued growth of the ancient coins market."
Several highlights from the Dimitriadis Collection of Roman gold coins includes:
- An aureus of Marc Antony, struck soon after the murder of Julius Caesar, and graded NGC XF ★ strike 5/5, surface 3/5
- Ten of the famous "Twelve Caesars" are represented, including participants in the destructive Civil War of AD 68-69
- Mint State aurei of Antoninus Pius and his wife Faustina Senior, and Choice Mint State aurei of Marcus Aurelius and his colleague Lucius Verus
- Gold coins of the tumultuous 3rd Century AD, including a nice selection of gold of the Severan Dynasty, underscored by two particularly nice aurei of Caracalla
- The Tetrarchs are also well represented, including an Emperor Maximian graded NGC MS ★ 5/5 – 4/5.
- Aurei and solidi from the Constantinian Era. Among these are two solidi of the usurper Magnentius and several solidi of the Emperor Julian II
The Dimitriadis Collection also offers rarities from the Late Roman Empire. Some examples of these include solidi of Constantine III, Majorian and Anthemius, as well as rare joint issues of Leo II and Zeno and of Basiliscus and Marcus.
For a complete listing, visit the Heritage Auctions website at: http://coins.ha.com/common/auction/catalog.php?SaleNo=3032.
