The second part of the famous coin collection owned by Lars Emil Bruun, also known as the “Danish Butter King,” will soon be auctioned. This extensive collection of Scandinavian coins, which has been eagerly awaited by collectors for over a century, will be sold by Stack’s Bowers Galleries in Zürich, Switzerland, in March 2025. The collection includes rare and valuable coins, some dating back to the Viking period. This article will explore the upcoming auction, the history of the Bruun Collection, and what collectors can expect from this remarkable event.
Part II of the L.E. Bruun Collection Auction
In October 2024, Stack’s Bowers Galleries announced that the second part of the L.E. Bruun Collection would be up for auction from March 13 to 16, 2025. This collection is expected to set new records as the most valuable group of world coins ever sold at auction. The auction will take place at the Hotel Baur au Lac in Zürich, Switzerland.
The first part of the Bruun Collection auction was held in September 2024 in Copenhagen. It was a major success, with 286 lots selling for a total of €14,820,900 (about $16.5 million U.S.). This set a record for the largest numismatic auction in Scandinavia. Following this, Part II of the collection will offer an even wider variety of Scandinavian coins. These include items from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and the Danish duchies of Schleswig-Holstein, an area once under Danish rule but lost to Germany in 1864.
What Makes Part II Special
Part II will feature approximately 700 coins, ranging in value from €1,000 ($1,086 U.S.) to several hundred thousand euros. This is a significant shift from Part I, where most items sold for over €10,000 ($10,856 U.S.) each. The second auction will include coins from various periods of Scandinavian history, from the Viking age through the 19th century, making it an attractive offering for a broader range of collectors.
The expected value for the second part of the collection is between €5 million and €7 million ($5.4 million to $7.6 million U.S.). This auction will have a larger number of lower-priced items, which means that collectors with different budgets will have a chance to purchase a piece of this legendary collection. According to Michael Fornitz, Director of Stack’s Bowers Galleries Denmark, many collectors with more modest budgets missed out on Part I, but Part II will give them another opportunity to buy some of Bruun’s hidden numismatic treasures.
| Section | Description |
|---|---|
| Introduction | Overview of the L.E. Bruun Collection and the upcoming auction. |
| Part II of the L.E. Bruun Collection Auction | Details about the second auction scheduled for March 2025. |
| What Makes Part II Special | Information on the unique aspects of Part II, including the variety of coins. |
| The Legacy of Lars Emil Bruun | The story behind Lars Emil Bruun and his famous coin collection. |
| Conclusion | Recap of the importance of the Bruun Collection and the upcoming auction. |
The Legacy of Lars Emil Bruun
The story of Lars Emil Bruun and his coin collection is well-known among numismatists and collectors. Bruun was a wealthy butter magnate in Denmark who made a fortune from real estate investments. With his wealth, he began collecting rare coins from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. His collection grew to be one of the largest and most valuable of its kind.
Bruun passed away in 1923, leaving behind what is considered the greatest private collection of Scandinavian coins, medals, and paper money. The collection was kept in reserve for a century, in case the Royal Danish Coin and Medal Collection needed to be replaced. Now, after more than 100 years, Bruun’s heirs are selling the collection, and Stack’s Bowers Galleries has been chosen to handle the auctions.
When the final coin from the Bruun Collection is sold, it will be remembered as the most valuable collection of international coins ever to be auctioned. The collection was insured for 500 million Danish kroner (approximately $72.5 million U.S.) and will be sold in a series of live and online auctions over the next few years.
Conclusion
The upcoming auction of the second part of the L.E. Bruun Collection is set to be a major event in the world of numismatics. This rare collection, which includes coins from the Viking era to the 19th century, will be sold in Zürich, Switzerland, in March 2025. Collectors of all budgets will have a chance to own a piece of history, thanks to a wider variety of items and price points. The Bruun Collection will go down in history as one of the most valuable and impressive collections of coins ever sold at auction.
FAQs
1. What is the L.E. Bruun Collection?
The L.E. Bruun Collection is one of the most extensive and valuable collections of Scandinavian coins, medals, and paper money. It was built by Lars Emil Bruun, a wealthy Danish businessman, before his death in 1923. The collection includes rare coins from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and other areas, with a focus on pieces from the Viking era to the 19th century.
2. When is the next auction for the Bruun Collection?
The second part of the L.E. Bruun Collection will be auctioned from March 13 to 16, 2025. The auction will take place at the Hotel Baur au Lac in Zürich, Switzerland.
3. How many coins will be in the second part of the auction?
The second part of the auction will feature approximately 700 coins, which will range in value from €1,000 to several hundred thousand euros.
4. Why is the Bruun Collection so important?
The Bruun Collection is considered one of the greatest private coin collections in the world, featuring coins from important historical periods such as the Viking age. It is unique not only because of the rarity of its coins but also because it includes items from regions like the Danish duchies of Schleswig-Holstein, which is now part of Germany.
5. What are the expected prices for coins in this auction?
Coins in the second part of the auction are expected to range in price from €1,000 ($1,086 U.S.) to several hundred thousand euros. The total value of the second part is estimated to be between €5 million and €7 million ($5.4 million to $7.6 million U.S.).