Inaugural exhibit of ‘Tyrant Collection’ includes first U.S. display of rare 1937 Edward VIII Proof set

February 2018 Long Beach Expo ‘Tyrants of the Thames’ display to feature $15m USD of portrait coins spanning 1,400 years of England’s numismatic history

The first public display of a portion of the extensive numismatic treasures in the recently revealed Tyrant Collection will be at the Feb. 22-24 Long Beach Coin, Currency, Stamp and Sports Collectible Expo, which will feature a $15 million USD exhibit of historic English coins.

Labeled “The Tyrants of the Thames,” the inaugural exhibition in a planned multi-year series of displays from the collection will showcase more than 500 “superbly preserved examples” of portrait coins minted in the Thames Valley over the last 1,400 years. Among the many highlights will be a complete King Edward VIII pattern proof set produced in 1937 by the Royal Mint. It is the only privately owned set.

The collection’s owner, who wishes to remain anonymous, said he plans to share the coins through a series of exhibitions for their educational value.

One of the finest-known examples of the Elizabeth I ‘ship’ Ryal will be among the coins on display as part of the Tyrants of the Thames exhibit. (Photo by PCGS)

“Because the collection includes the Edward VIII proof set, it is the only privately held collection that contains an example of every portrait coin denomination issued by English monarchs since the early seventh century,” said the owner. “The upcoming exhibition will showcase many of the superb quality rarities in this amazing collection.”

Special exhibit cases with LED lighting have been constructed for the exhibits planned for each of the upcoming Long Beach Expo shows over the next several years. Limited-edition illustrated hardbound educational reference books are also in the planning stages, and these will be offered at future exhibits.

Highlights of the upcoming Treasures of the Tyrants will include:

  • the finest privately held example of the gold Thrysma issued by Eadbald, King of Kent (616-640 AD), London Mint, S-758, graded Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) Mint State-64 (first English coin to carry the name of the issuing king);
  • Edward III, Plantagenet King (1327-1377), gold Double Leopard, S-1476, third coinage (1344 – 1351), graded PCGS MS-62 (there are only three known examples of this historic coin, and the other two are in museums; it is described as perhaps the most important English coin in The Tyrant Collection);
  • Henry VIII, Tudor King (1509-1547), gold Fine Sovereign, second coinage (1526 – 1544), S-2267, graded PCGS MS-63 (the largest coin issued during Henry VIII’s turbulent reign, this example is believed to be the finest known);
  • Elizabeth I, Tudor Queen (1558-1603), gold “ship” Ryal, sixth issue (1583-1600), S-2530, graded PCGS MS-61 (this specimen is one of the finest known and features a design emblematic of the English navy’s historical importance);
  • Charles II, Stuart King (1660-1685), proof or presentation gold 5 Guineas dated 1670, S-3328, graded Numismatic Guaranty Corp. (NGC) Proof-64;
  • George III, Hanover King (1760-1820), pattern proof gold 5 Guineas by Tanner dated 1770, S-3723, graded PCGS Proof-63 (this is one of the rarest coins of this denomination in the English series);
  • George IV, Hanover King (1820-1830), gold proof Pound dated 1826, S-3797, graded PCGS Proof-65+ Cameo (unlike most other 1826 issues, this cameo specimen is not marred by marks or hairlines);
  • Victoria, Hanover Queen (1837-1901), graded PCGS Proof-64 Deep Cameo (this is one of the finest known examples of the world-famous Una); and
  • the Lion gold 5 Pound piece, which was obtained by the Tyrant Collection as part of a pristine original complete set of Proof 1839 coins issued for Victoria’s coronation. It is considered to be one of the world’s most beautiful coins.

FIRST TIME ON PUBLIC DISPLAY

The February 2018 Long Beach Expo exhibit will be the first time that the public will be able to view in the U.S. the historic Edward VIII proof set, the single most valuable item in English numismatics.

It will also be the first time the rare King Eadbald and King Edward III coins mentioned above will be publicly exhibited in the U.S.

On December 11, 1936, Edward VIII abdicated his throne to marry “the woman I love.” Edward VIII then became known as the Duke of Windsor, and during his lifetime he was never able to acquire even a single English coin bearing his image.

Three of the four known complete Edward VIII proof sets are owned by Queen Elizabeth and the Royal Mint, with one of the Mint’s two sets on long-term loan to the British Museum. A fifth set, lacking gold coins, was broken up over the years and the coins were sold off separately.

“The Tyrant Collection contains the most valuable collection of English coins in private hands, and the entire coin collection undoubtedly is the world’s most valuable in private hands, worth hundreds of millions of dollars,” said Ira Goldberg, president of Goldberg Coins and Collectibles in Los Angeles, Calif.

“These exhibits with different coins displayed at upcoming Long Beach Expos will be a once-in- a-lifetime opportunity for many collectors, dealers and the public to see in person some of the world’s most significant rare coins,” added Goldberg, who provided guidance in assembling the Tyrant Collection.

The February 2018 Long Beach Expo will be held at the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center located at 100 South Pine Ave in Long Beach, Calif.

Additional information is available at longbeachexpo.com.

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