A remarkable coin collection, hidden underground for more than half a century, is expected to fetch over $100 million at auction, experts say.
Known as the Traveller Collection, this extensive assemblage is believed to be the most valuable ever put up for sale.
The coins will be auctioned gradually over the next three years, with the first sale scheduled for May 20.
Beyond its staggering worth, the collection has a fascinating backstory. Comprising coins from over 100 territories and spanning ancient to modern times, it is being auctioned by Numismatica Ars Classica.
What sets it apart is that a significant portion of the collection remained buried for 50 years before resurfacing.
A Hidden Treasure with a Remarkable History
According to a statement shared with CNN, the anonymous collector behind this trove started acquiring gold coins following the 1929 Wall Street Crash. Over time, he developed a keen interest in historically significant, rare, and aesthetically remarkable coins, eventually amassing around 15,000 pieces.
During the 1930s, the collector and his wife traveled extensively across the Americas and Europe, carefully documenting their acquisitions. As political tensions in Europe escalated with the rise of Nazi Germany, he foresaw potential danger and took action to protect his collection. The coins were meticulously packed into cigar boxes, sealed in aluminum containers, and buried underground—where they remained untouched for five decades.
Exceptional Coins and Historical Significance
Among the collection’s highlights is an extremely rare 50 Toman coin, part of a set minted in Tehran and Isfahan in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
Another standout piece is a 100 ducat gold coin of Ferdinand III of Habsburg, minted in 1629. Weighing 348.5 grams of fine gold, it is one of the largest European gold coins ever produced. Also included is a five-guinea coin of George III from 1777, valued at approximately $340,000.
Experts note that several coins in the collection are in pristine condition, with some types never before appearing in a public auction, underscoring their extreme rarity.
When the collector’s heirs eventually retrieved the coins, they were placed in a bank vault before being presented to the auction house. However, specific details about how they were hidden and rediscovered remain undisclosed at the family’s request.
Fortunately, the collector’s detailed records allowed auction house experts to trace the provenance of many coins, linking some to significant auctions from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
A Landmark Moment in Numismatics
Arturo Russo, director of Numismatica Ars Classica, described the auction as historic, saying, “The vast range and superb quality of the coins offered, the sheer number of great rarities, and the fascinating story of the collection’s formation will make these sales a landmark in the history of numismatics.”
David Guest, a numismatics expert consulting on the collection, echoed this sentiment, stating, “When cataloguing the British coins from the Traveller Collection, I had to keep pinching myself to make sure I wasn’t dreaming. The quality was exceptional, and many of the coins had not been seen for sale in over 80 years—some were completely unrecorded.”
With its extraordinary rarity, historical significance, and the mystery surrounding its concealment, the Traveller Collection is expected to captivate collectors worldwide and make history in the world of coin auctions.
