In a historic auction held in Zurich, the first 220 coins from the extraordinary 15,000-piece “Traveller Collection” fetched a staggering £5.7 million, doubling their pre-sale estimate of £2.7 million. With the auctioneer Numismatica Ars Classica adding a 22.5% fee, the total cost to buyers soared to an impressive £7 million. This remarkable sale marks the debut of what is being hailed as the most significant collection of world coins ever offered at public auction.
The star of the auction was an exceptionally rare 1839 “Una the Lion” £5 coin, a prototype created to commemorate Queen Victoria’s coronation. Widely regarded as one of the most beautiful coins ever minted, this piece sold for an astonishing £884,163 ($1.2 million), including the auctioneer’s fee, securing its place as the eighth British coin to break the $1 million barrier at auction. Originally purchased for just £14—equivalent to £800 today—the coin far exceeded its estimated sale price of £218,921, fetching over four times that amount.
“This Traveller Collection is without doubt the most important collection of world coins ever to be offered at public auction in the entire history of numismatics,” declared Arturo and Giuliano Russo, directors of Numismatica Ars Classica. The collection’s allure lies not only in its rarity and beauty but also in its extraordinary backstory. Assembled in the aftermath of the 1929 Wall Street Crash, the coins were hidden underground by a Jewish family during the Second World War to protect them from the looming threat of Nazi invasion. The collection remained buried for 50 years until the 1990s, when the collector’s wife revealed the hidden treasure to her family.
The auction also showcased other remarkable pieces, including a George III pattern crown coin, which sold for £375,622, with the only other known example residing in the Bank of England’s collection. A George V pattern crown fetched £265,165, while a Queen Anne medal commemorating the 1702 capture of a Spanish fleet brought in £121,519. These coins attracted a wave of new collectors, including art and antiques enthusiasts captivated by the romance and historical significance of the Traveller Collection. “This thrilling sale drew sophisticated new buyers who had never participated in a coin auction before,” said David Guest, a consultant on the British coins in the collection.
The Zurich auction focused on 220 British coins, but it is just the beginning of a three-year series that will see the remaining 14,780 coins from the Traveller Collection go under the hammer. The next auction, featuring Central European coins, is scheduled for October, with the entire collection projected to fetch well over $100 million. Among the highlights yet to be sold is a 100 ducats coin from 1629, minted during the reign of Ferdinand III, Archduke of Austria and King of Hungary, Croatia, and Bohemia. Unseen at auction since before World War II, this coin carries an initial sale estimate of £1.05 million. The collection also includes ancient treasures, such as a 296 BC Athens gold stater valued at £109,515.
The Traveller Collection is a testament to the enduring allure of rare coins, blending historical significance, breathtaking craftsmanship, and a gripping tale of survival. As the auctions continue, collectors and historians alike eagerly await the unveiling of more treasures from this unparalleled hoard.