Secret Coin Treasure from the Garden Goes Up for Auction - Lost for Decades, $100M Coin Collection to Auction in Zurich
A remarkable collection of rare, well-preserved gold and silver coins, hidden for decades, is set to be auctioned in Zurich on November 6. The collection, amassed by an unknown wealthy collector in the 1930s, includes nearly 500 coins from around the world, with an estimated value of over $100 million. Robert Hartmann, co-founder of Munich's pro aurum, is impressed by the collection's rarity and preservation. The coins, buried in cigar boxes in a garden, were unearthed in the 1990s and recently passed to the Russos. The collection's origins are unclear, but specialist Christian Stoess, who compiled the auction catalog, asserts most coins were acquired before the Nazi rise to power, making looting unlikely. The auction's highlight is a gold coin, nearly the size of a beer coaster, depicting Ferdinand III. It's estimated at 1.25 million Swiss francs (around €1.35 million). The entire collection is insured for approximately €85 million. The auction of this extraordinary collection promises to be a significant event in the numismatic world. With its fascinating history and remarkable pieces, it offers a unique glimpse into the past. The proceeds will go to the Russos, who inherited the treasure, and the collection's future will be determined by its new owners.
