NGC CERTIFIES ENORMOUS GOLD COINS CELEBRATING THE YEAR OF THE RAT
Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) has certified two more colossal gold coins, both 2020 Year of the Rat issues from China. Together, the coins contain over $700,000 (approximately £) in gold, but their numismatic value is significantly greater. Each of them has earned NGC’s highest grade: NGC PF 70 Ultra Cameo.
The NGC Mega Holder® was used to encapsulate the 10kg 100,000 Yuan example, while the NGC Oversize Holder® was used to encapsulate the 2kg 20,000 Yuan example. Each are struck in .999 fine gold, with diameters of 180 mm (7.1 inches) and
110 mm (4.3 inches), respectively. These are the largest (both by denomination and weight) of the seventeen types of 2020 Year of the Rat coins issued by China.
The coins feature China’s National Emblem with auspicious patterns on the obverse and striking mouse imagery on the reverse. China’s Lunar coins are popular with collectors, with each year’s issues showcasing a new animal as the twelve-year zodiac cycle progresses. The Year of the Rat began in January 2020 and concludes in February 2021.
The Year of the Rat coins had maximum mintages of just eighteen for the 10kg and fifty for the 2kg.
These superb modern rarities were submitted by famous Macau numismatist C.S. Wong. Mr. Wong has submitted other 10kg coins to NGC for certification, including a 2019 China Year of the Pig Gold 100,000 Yuan, which is also graded NGC PF 70 Ultra Cameo.
As of early December 2020, the price of gold was trading around $1,850 per troy ounce, meaning the 2kg coin contains about
$120,000 in gold, while the 10kg coin contains about $600,000 in gold. The numismatic value of these modern rarities adds considerably to their overall value.
The coins were delivered to the office of NGC Hong Kong Ltd., NGC’s affiliate based in Hong Kong, China. They were securely transported to NGC’s global headquarters in the United States for certification and encapsulation.
‘NGC was honoured to have been chosen to grade these enormous gold pieces,’ said David J. Camire, NGC Grading Finalizer. ‘Collectors know that NGC has an unparalleled combination of grading expertise, superior holders and advanced logistics that make it possible to accurately and securely certify coins of virtually any size.’
‘I am very pleased with NGC’s grades as well as its ability to protect these phenomenal pieces in its holders,’ said Mr. Wong. ‘NGC is the only third-party certification service that I trust with my most valuable coins.’
The NGC Mega Holder allows for the encapsulation of coins and medals up to 180 mm (7.1 inches) in diameter and 28 mm (1.1 inches) in thickness. The NGC Oversize Holder is available in two sizes. The medium NGC Oversize Holder can accommodate most coins up to 101.5 mm in diameter and 25 mm in thickness. The large NGC Oversize Holder can accommodate most coins up to 120 mm in diameter and 15 mm in thickness.