The Traveller, a private European collector whose name remains anonymous, began acquiring coins in the 1930s and built his collection with an eye for rarity, provenance and condition. In a dramatic move during the Second World War, the collector reportedly buried the entire collection to protect it from looting during the Nazi occupation of Europe.
Preserved in exceptional condition and hidden from public view for over five decades, the collection is now re-emerging in what is being hailed as the most valuable complete numismatic collection ever to come to auction.
On May 20, 2025, Numismatica Ars Classica (NAC), in partnership with David Guest Numismatics, will present the first in a series of landmark auctions from the Traveller Collection. Held at the Hotel Baur au Lac in Zürich, the inaugural sale will feature 220 machine-struck British gold coins spanning from 1663 to 1937. Estimated at CHF 2.8 million (approximately £2.55 million), the offering includes coins that have not been seen publicly in more than a century—some of which are absent from museum holdings, auction records and standard numismatic references.
Among the headline pieces is a plain-edge prototype of the iconic 1839 Una and the Lion Five Pound piece, designed by William Wyon during Queen Victoria’s reign. Described by many as the most beautiful coin ever struck by the Royal Mint, this early trial strike is one of only a few known examples. Purchased by the Traveller for just £14, it now carries an auction estimate of CHF 250,000 (£212,000), though comparable examples have fetched as much as £1 million in recent years.
Other historic highlights include a 1798 pattern gold crown from the reign of George III—one of only two known examples, with the other held by the Bank of England—and a high-relief 1910 pattern crown of George V, known for its bold, modernist design. Also of particular note is a Naval Reward medal from the reign of Charles II, believed to have once belonged to Edward Hyde, the 1st Earl of Clarendon, and a 1702 gold medal commemorating the Battle of Vigo Bay, a unique piece with no recorded appearances in numismatic literature.
The sale also features a trial reverse for the very first gold Sovereign struck in 1816, designed by Benedetto Pistrucci. Depicting the now-iconic image of Saint George slaying the dragon, the prototype is one of only two known and once belonged to Pistrucci himself. A rare 1797 pattern halfpenny attributed to medallist W.J. Taylor, as well as several outstanding Five Guinea pieces—including an MS-64 graded Queen Anne example—round out the auction’s extensive highlights.
David Guest, director of David Guest Numismatics and consultant to the collection, said: “Quality, provenance, rarity and market freshness are key factors driving the modern coin market, and the Traveller Collection has all four in abundance. It offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to acquire coins that have not seen the light of day in over 80 years.”
Arturo Russo, director of NAC, added: “I am extremely proud to start the series of the Traveller Collection with the sale of British milled coins. I believe this extraordinary sale will be a milestone for many years to come.”
Full auction details, catalogues, and online bidding are available at arsclassicacoins.com and biddr.com.