Bruun Collection to be auctioned

As stipulated by his will, LE Bruun’s collection of coins, described as the most valuable collection of world coins to ever come to market, will be sold at public auction a century after his death in 1923

The extraordinary coin, medal, banknote and book collection of Danish industrialist Lars

Emil Bruun (1852–1923) is finally set to be sold in a series of auctions spanning several years. Commencing in the autumn, Stack’s Bowers Galleries will auction this prized collection of Scandinavian coinage.

The collection, begun when the prosperous Danish butter merchant was a boy in the 1850s has been safeguarded for a century by the Royal Danish Coin and Medal Collection. It was first held within the walls of Frederiksborg Castle, formerly a royal residence, before finding its way to the Danmarks Nationalbank (Danish Central Bank) in Copenhagen.

Since 2011, nearly 20,000 items, housed within four grand custom-made cabinets (as they were at Mr Bruun’s demise in 1923), have remained securely stored in a secret location, insured for 500,000,000 Danish kroner (approximately $72,550,000).

Deeply moved by the devastation he witnessed during World War I and fearing a new war or bombing of Copenhagen, L E Bruun left exacting instructions in his will for his collection: ‘For a period of 100 years after my death, the collection shall serve as a reserve for the Royal Coin and Medal Collection in Copenhagen in the sense that if it should be substantially destroyed by fire or lost by theft or other such event, my collection shall be offered to the State as a gift.’ However, if the next century should pass with the national collection intact, ‘it shall be sold at public auction and the proceeds shall accrue to the persons who are my direct descendants.’

On 21 November 2023, the final provision of the will came into force and nearly 20,000 coins, medals, and paper currency pieces from Denmark and related territories, Norway and Sweden, as well as medieval coins from the era when Danish kings ruled in England were released for auction

Emil Bruun, a trailblazer in the preservation, canning and exportation of premium Danish butter, established a global enterprise that provided him with immense wealth. His affluence enabled him to amass an extensive collection.

Henrik Holt Christensen, Senior Director of Consignments at Stack’s Bowers Galleries, remarked: ‘Upon viewing the collection firsthand, I was struck by its sheer diversity and quality, offering a comprehensive narrative of Scandinavian monetary evolution. From entry-level pieces to exceedingly rare treasures that are the finest quality in existence, Bruun’s collection encapsulates Scandinavia’s millennium-long numismatic journey.’

Further details regarding the auction schedule and global exhibitions featuring the collection will be posted online (www.StacksBowers.com).