An underground trove buried during World War II is back in the spotlight, promising record prices and a fresh chapter in numismatic lore.
The reappearance of the Traveller Collection—the 15,000‑piece cache valued at more than $100 million USD—has coin experts buzzing. Buried for safety as Nazi forces advanced and now slated for auction, this glittering hoard blends gold titans, royal rarities, and a backstory fit for a thriller.
First discovered by the heirs of its original European owner, the stash was boxed in cigars tins and aluminum canisters, then sealed beneath the soil for over half a century. Its public unveiling begins May 20, 2025, when Numismatica Ars Classica (NAC) launches the first of a three‑year sale series.
From Wall Street crash to wartime secrecy: how the hoard was buried
The saga starts in 1929. Reeling from the stock‑market collapse, a European couple set off on a decades‑long hunt for the world’s scarcest coins. Their meticulous ledger tracked every purchase—until rising fascism forced a drastic move.
Rather than surrender the collection, they buried it, then vanished from public record. Who could have imagined those boxes would rest undisturbed for so long? Gold titans and royal rarities set to reshape high‑stakes coin market. Collectors may be wondering which pieces are turning heads? Two highlights steal the show:
| Coin | Year | Weight | Estimated value |
|---|---|---|---|
| 100 Ducat of Ferdinand III (Austria) | 1629 | 348.5 g | $1.35 million USD |
| 70 Ducat of Sigismund III (Poland) | 1621 | 243 g | $471,700 USD |
These giants aren’t mere curiosities; they are tangible links to shifting empires and economic power. Experts predict bidding wars unseen in recent memory.
Multi‑year auction series aims to unveil hidden chapters of global history
NAC’s plan rolls out in waves, each spotlighting a different slice of the hoard:
- April 2025: Full preview in London
- May 20, 2025: Opening sale—British machine‑struck coins (Charles II–George VI)
- 2026–2027: Follow‑up auctions featuring Continental and New‑World rarities
Consequently, the Traveller Collection will drip‑feed surprises, keeping scholars and investors alike glued to the catalogs. After all, when was the last time coins unseen for 80 years hit the block?
What happens next?
If you’re eyeing participation, start your due diligence now: verify bidding credentials, monitor pre‑sale estimates, and budget for hefty buyer’s premiums. Casual history buffs, meanwhile, can catch the public exhibitions for a close‑up with artifacts that once underpinned royal treasuries.
The Traveller Collection isn’t just a treasure; it’s a time capsule spanning the Great Depression, World War II, and modern rediscovery. As each coin crosses the auctioneer’s podium, it revives stories of resilience, risk, and the enduring grip of gold on human imagination.