The First Auction of the Traveller Collection Sells a Rare Una and the Lion Pattern Coin for CHF 980,000

By CoinWeek… On May 20, 2025, the first auction of the Traveller Collection in Zürich saw an exceptionally rare “Una and the Lion” pattern coin from Queen Victoria's reign fetch CHF 980,000 ($1,188,330), marking only the eighth time a British coin has sold for over $1 million.

The first part of the Traveller Collection sold for an astounding CHF 6,341,200 ($7,680,345), smashing the pre-sale estimate of CHF 2,989,700 ($3,618,786) and making it one of the most successful coin auctions in recent history.

The highlight of the auction, which took place on May 20 at the Hotel Bar Au Lac in Zürich, was an exceptionally rare “Una and the Lion” pattern coin from Queen Victoria’s reign, which sold for an incredible CHF 980,000 ($1,188,330). This marks only the eighth time a British coin has sold for over $1 million at auction.

The coin, which was a prototype for a £5 piece designed by William Wyon in 1839, is in pristine condition and has a plain edge. It is one of only a few known examples of this pattern, making it highly sought-after by collectors. The Traveller, for who the collection is named, bought the coin in 1966 for just £14 (about £800 today).

Another notable sale was a George III pattern crown, which fetched an astounding CHF 416,500 ($505,130). The coin, which was sold by Numismatica Ars Classica and David Guest Numismatics, is in excellent condition and is a rare example of this pattern.

Also sold was a unique George V gold pattern crown, which went for CHF 294,000 ($356,562). The coin, which was sold by two bidders in the packed room, is one of only two known examples of this pattern and is in excellent condition.

A rare 1702 Queen Anne medal also sold exceptionally well, tripling its estimate to reach CHF 134,750 ($163,424). The medal, which was sold by a phone bidder, is a small bronze example and is in excellent condition.

The first part of the Traveller Collection, which is valued at $100 million for insurance purposes, included 220 lots of British coins. The collection, which is one of the most expensive and diverse ever auctioned, spans over 15,000 coins from various countries, many in unparalleled condition and rarity. Some of the coins were buried in Europe for over 50 years to escape Nazi looting.

The auction, which was launched by Count Arco, brought together bidders from Europe, Asia, North America, and Australia, including many first-time coin buyers, who were all enticed by the vast scope of the collection. Some lots sold for five times their estimate, highlighting the fierce competition among bidders.

The collection is being sold in three parts over three years, with the second part, focusing on Central European coins, scheduled for November 2025. The collection’s exceptional breadth includes rare coins and medals absent from museums, never-before-seen gold designs, and coins with extraordinary pedigrees.

Among the diverse offerings are coins from ancient Greece, Roman Empire, medieval and Renaissance Italy, France, Spain, Germany, and Britain, along with an outstanding selection of early American coins, including a 1794 copper cent, which sold for $440,000 in 2022.

The collection also includes coins from Russia, China, India, Persia, Japan, and Islamic rulers, showcasing the vast geographical scope of the Traveller’s interest.