Numismatic Guaranty Company® (NGC®) has been chosen to authenticate and grade Lars Emil Bruun’s coin collection, which is considered the most remarkable assortment of Scandinavian coins in private hands. Stack’s Bowers Galleries will exhibit portions of the collection at the ANA World’s Fair of Money in August before commencing a series of auctions on September 14, 2024.
Bruun, an entrepreneur from Denmark who amassed his wealth through the butter and real estate industries, put together a collection of 20,000 coins from Denmark and other Scandinavian nations. Upon his passing, he instructed for the collection to be preserved for a century, serving as a substitute for any lost or destroyed coins owned by the Danish government. Now, after the century has elapsed, the collection is up for sale, with the proceeds benefiting his descendants.
Among the collection’s standout pieces is the Denmark 1496 Noble graded NGC AU 55. Recognized as the first gold coin minted by Denmark and the first dated coin from the Danish Kingdom, this particular coin is a one-of-a-kind piece in private ownership, according to Stack’s Bowers Galleries.
“Given its exceptional nature, it is highly likely that there will be significant demand for this coin, potentially fetching over $1 million at auction,” mentioned Matt Orsini, Director of World and Ancient Numismatics at Stack’s Bowers Galleries. “Once the auction series concludes, this collection will hold the distinction of being the most valuable assemblage of international coins ever sold.”
Another notable highlight is the Norway (1661) 2 Speciedaler graded NGC AU 58, a silver coin commemorating Norway’s pledge of allegiance to the Danish king, depicted on the reverse at Akershus Fortress in Oslo. Similar to the 1496 Noble, this coin is believed to be unique among private collections.
The Part I auction also features a trio of rare gold coins minted during the reign of Christian IV, the longest-serving Scandinavian monarch from 1588 to 1648. These coins include a Denmark 1608 3 GoldGulden graded NGC MS 62, a Denmark 1623 Gluckstadt 10 Ducats graded NGC AU 53, and a Denmark 10 Ducats graded NGC AU 58.
“NGC is privileged to have been entrusted with the authentication, grading, and attribution of this extraordinary collection,” stated Ben Wengel, NGC Senior Vice President of World Coin Grading. “Many of these coins present a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for advanced collectors of Scandinavian coins, and NGC certification empowers them to bid confidently.”
Stack’s Bowers will exhibit the coins from the Part I auction, including those highlighted in this article, at the ANA World’s Fair of Money in Rosemont, Illinois, from August 6-10, 2024. A video showcasing the top highlights of the collection is available on YouTube.com/ngccoinvideos.
The coins will be encapsulated with a special NGC certification label recognizing their association with the esteemed L.E. Bruun Collection, which is insured for over $70 million.
About Numismatic Guaranty Company ® (NGC®)
NGC is the leading third-party grading service globally for coins, tokens, and medals, having certified over 60 million collectibles, including the 1787 Brasher Doubloon that fetched a record $9.36 million. Established in 1987, NGC offers precise, consistent, and impartial assessments of authenticity and grade, supported by the all-encompassing NGC Guarantee, instilling greater confidence in collectors. For more information, visit NGCcoin.com.
NGC is a division of the Certified Collectibles Group® (CCG®), aiming to provide collectors with services that kindle passion, create value, and foster community. With over 90 million collectibles certified across various categories, CCG brands like NGC, Paper Money Guaranty® (PMG®), Certified Guaranty Company® (CGC®), and Authenticated Stamp Guaranty® (ASG®) are renowned for trust and expertise in their respective hobbies.