$160 million gold coin collection unearthed in Europe after 50 years underground, now set for auction
An intriguing discovery has been uncovered: a secret stash of valuable gold coins, buried in the ground for over 50 years, now worth over USD 100 million (approximately AUD 160 million). Dubbed the Traveller Collection, the treasure is set to change the face of rare coin collecting. Experts have termed it as "the most valuable numismatic collection ever to appear at auction in its entirety," with an interesting story which rivals the coins' intrigue.
Rediscovery of a hidden treasure of gold coins and the upcoming auction series
Over 50 years since they were buried, the heirs of the collector re-discovered the coins. The treasure was transferred to a secure bank vault for safekeeping and eventually entered the public sphere. Numismatica Ars Classica (NAC), the auction house, will present the collection in a series of auctions starting on May 20, 2025. The inaugural auction will feature British machine-struck coins from the reigns of monarchs from Charles II to George VI. Many of the coins in the collection have not been seen in over 80 years, some never previously recorded within official numismatic archives, says NAC's director, Arturo Russo.
Source: Indian Defence Review
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Amongst the most incredible items in the Traveller Collection are a number of gold coins of unparalleled worth and historical significance. One of the stand-outs is a 1629-gold coin of 100 ducats minted for Ferdinand III of Habsburg. It weighs 348.5 grams and is estimated at around $1.35 million USD. Another highlight is a 70 ducat gold coin in 1621 for Polish King Sigismund III, weighing 243 grams and worth about $471,700 USD.
The Traveller Collection's origins and the hidden treasure beneath the surface
The history of the Traveller Collection begins in the wake of the 1929 Wall Street Crash. A European collector and his wife set out on a quest to discover the most rare and historically important coins from Europe and the Americas. Driven by history, rarity, and beauty, they carefully curate a diversified collection, thoroughly documenting each acquisition.
When the prospect of World War II threatened and Nazi troops were starting to overtake Europe, the collector found himself in the unenviable position of needing to safeguard his precious treasure. In a decision that would come to be revealed as prudent later on, he placed the coins in cigar boxes and aluminum cylinders and buried them in the ground to keep them safe from war's destruction. Then the collector disappeared from record, and the whereabouts of the treasure buried with him were unknown for decades.
A rare treasure of Tomans and Coins from across the ages
The Traveller Collection also comprises an incredibly rare collection of five Tomans that were struck in Tehran and Isfahan between the late 18th and early 19th centuries by Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar. Just five complete sets of the coins are known to have survived, one of which is in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, UK. One outstanding piece from this collection is a 50 Toman coin, one of the incredibly rare sets, that will also be auctioned.
The Traveller Collection encompasses coins from more than 100 areas, with a history ranging from ancient societies to the present day. Specialists are especially amazed by its outstanding variety, excellent quality, and the great preservation of most of the items. The press release by NAC draws attention to the fact that "several types have never been offered in a public auction," which stresses the uniqueness and importance of numerous coins included in the collection.
Due to the meticulous recording and archives of the original collector, researchers were able to trace the provenance of numerous coins back to historic sales of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, adding yet more layers of historical interest.
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