Key Points
COPENHAGEN (Reuters) The 20,000-piece coin collection of Danish butter magnate Lars Emil Bruun, worth an estimated $74 million, is set to go under the hammer on Saturday in Copenhagen, a century after his passing...
The collection, kept by Bruuns relatives in line with his will, includes rare coins and medals from Denmark, Norway, Sweden and England dating back to the Viking age..
The collection is unique in many ways, partly because its so valuable, but also because its been kept safe as a sleeping beauty for 100 years without nobody having access to the coins, said Michael Fornitz, a professional numismatic appointed by auction house Stacks Bowers to oversee the sale...
After World War One, Bruun, fearing another war or bombing of Copenhagen, decided his historic collection should be kept in reserve for the Royal Coin and Medal Collection in Copenhagen for a century...
But theres also regular people that have deep interest in history and interest in coin collecting, he said.. Proceeds from the auctions, expected to continue for several years, will go to Bruuns direct relatives, as stipulated in his will..
