The World's Most Expensive Coin Collection Goes on Sale After a Century of Secrecy
One of the world's most valuable coin collections is set to be auctioned after nearly a century of being off the market. This rare collection, once owned by Danish butter magnate Lars Emil Bruun, has been hidden from public view since his death in 1923.
According to CNN, Bruun's will stipulated that his vast collection of coins, banknotes, and medals, accumulated over more than six decades, was to remain untouched for 100 years. It was intended as a safeguard for Denmark's national collection in case of any destruction. After a century, if no emergency arose, the collection could be sold for the benefit of Bruun’s descendants.
Now, almost a year after the 100-year mark, the first lot from Bruun's extraordinary collection of 20,000 coins will be auctioned.
The sale, organized by renowned auction house Stack's Bowers Galleries, will take place over several sessions due to the sheer volume of items.
Photo credit: A gold coin from the late 15th century featuring a Danish king (Stack’s Bowers Galleries)
Experts predict that once completed, this auction will become the most valuable international coin sale in history.
The L.E. Bruun Collection has been valued at a staggering 500 million Danish kroner (approximately $72.5 million). The auction house described it as the most valuable international coin collection ever to hit the market.
A Century-Long Secret Unveiled
For 100 years, the collection was stored in a secret location, known only to a few close family members. Bruun had hidden the treasure as a precaution, fearing that Denmark’s royal coin collection could face threats such as bombing or looting, similar to the dangers faced during World War I.
Lars Emil Bruun’s passion for coin collecting began in 1859, during his childhood, when his uncle bequeathed part of his own collection to Bruun.
Though Bruun came from a family of landowners, by his early twenties, he found himself in financial trouble after his family’s wealth was depleted. With the help of a loan, he ventured into the butter industry, eventually amassing a large fortune through sales and exports. This newfound wealth allowed Bruun to become a fervent coin collector. In 1885, he co-founded the Danish Numismatic Society.
Among the many treasures in Bruun’s collection is a notable 17th-century Norwegian coin, minted in honor of King Frederik, featuring a reverse image of Oslo's Akershus Castle.
Bruun once explained the therapeutic nature of his hobby in an interview with a Danish magazine, which was quoted in the auction catalog. He said, “The great thing about coin collecting is that when you’re anxious or upset, you can study your coins and calm yourself, pondering the unsolved mysteries they present. Focusing only on business is a mistake. Personally, I couldn’t imagine thinking about butter for the rest of my life.”
The Auction’s First Session: A Display of Nordic History
The first session of the auction, scheduled for September 14, will feature more than 280 lots of gold and silver coins from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. These coins date from the late 15th century to the final decades of Bruun’s life and are estimated to be worth more than $10 million.
A Rare Gold Coin Takes Center Stage
The highlight of the auction is a rare gold coin, minted in 1496 during the reign of King Hans, one of the oldest gold coins in Scandinavia. Experts estimate that it could sell for between $600,000 and $672,510. The total value of the first auction session is projected to exceed $14.6 million.
Matt Orsini, Director of Global and Ancient Numismatics at Stack’s Bowers Galleries, expressed his excitement about this coin in a press release: “Hands down, my favorite piece in the sale is the 1496 gold noble of King Hans, who ruled Denmark, Norway, and briefly Sweden under the Kalmar Union. This coin is significant on so many levels—it’s the first gold coin minted by Denmark, the first dated coin issued by the Danish kingdom, and it’s unique in private hands.”
In the months leading up to the auction, the coins were exhibited at various international fairs, as well as Stack’s Bowers Galleries. They will also be on display in Copenhagen just before the sale begins.
