A hidden treasure trove of rare coins, buried underground for more than half a century, is now poised to make history at auction, with experts estimating its value to exceed $100 million.
Dubbed the Traveller Collection, this remarkable assemblage—one of the most valuable ever brought to market—features around 15,000 coins spanning over 100 territories, from ancient civilizations to the modern era. The collection will be auctioned in stages over the next three years, with the first sale set for May 20.
But beyond its staggering value, the collection’s backstory is equally fascinating.
The anonymous collector behind it began acquiring gold coins following the 1929 Wall Street Crash, developing a keen eye for historically significant and rare pieces. During the 1930s, he and his wife traveled across Europe and the Americas, carefully documenting their acquisitions. However, as World War II loomed and Hitler’s influence grew, the collector took drastic measures—sealing the coins in aluminum containers and burying them underground, where they remained untouched for five decades.
Among the collection’s standout pieces is a 100 ducat gold coin of Ferdinand III of Habsburg, minted in 1629, one of the largest European gold coins ever produced. Another highlight is a five-guinea coin of George III (1777), valued at approximately $340,000. A particularly rare set of five Tomans from 18th-19th century Persia, of which only five complete sets are known to exist, is also up for auction.
Auction house Numismatica Ars Classica, which is overseeing the sale, has called the collection “a landmark in the history of numismatics.” Experts say some of the coins have never been seen in public auctions before, making this an unprecedented moment in the world of rare collectibles.
With the first auction just weeks away, anticipation is soaring. This long-lost collection, hidden from the world for decades, is now set to claim its place in history—one coin at a time.
