Numismatic Guaranty Company® (NGC®) is proud to have been selected to authenticate and grade the collection of Lars Emil Bruun, which represents the most impressive group of Scandinavian coins in private hands. Stack’s Bowers Galleries will display selections from the collection at the ANA World’s Fair of Money in August before offering it in a series of auctions starting September 14, 2024.
Bruun, a Danish entrepreneur who made his fortune in butter and real estate, amassed a collection of 20,000 pieces from Denmark and other Scandinavian countries. He ordered his amazing collection to be set aside for a century after his death to serve as a replacement for the one owned by the Danish government, in case it was lost or destroyed. Now that 100 years have passed, the collection is being offered, with the proceeds benefiting his heirs.
A top highlight of the collection is a Denmark 1496 Noble graded NGC AU 55. This is the first gold coin struck by Denmark and the first dated coin from the Danish Kingdom, and it is unique in private hands, according to Stack’s Bowers Galleries.
"Everyone is going to want to own this prize, so I would not be surprised to see it sell for over $1 million on auction night," said Matt Orsini, Director of World and Ancient Numismatics at Stack’s Bowers Galleries. "Once the series of auctions is completed, this cabinet will stand as the most valuable collection of international coins ever to have been sold."
Another top highlight is a Norway (1661) 2 Speciedaler graded NGC AU 58. This silver coin celebrates Norway’s vow of allegiance to the king of Denmark, which was made at Akershus, a fortress in Oslo depicted on the reverse of the coin. Like the 1496 Noble, this coin is believed to be unique in private hands.
The Part I auction also includes a trio of gold rarities struck under Christian IV, whose reign from 1588 to 1648 was the longest of any Scandinavian monarch and a time of prosperity for the Danish kingdom. These coins are 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 honored to have had the opportunity to expertly authenticate, grade and attribute this unparalleled collection," said Ben Wengel, NGC Senior Vice President of World Coin Grading. "Many of these coins represent a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for advanced collectors of Scandinavian coins, and NGC certification helps them bid with confidence."
Stack’s Bowers will showcase the coins from the Part I auction, which include the ones in this article, at the ANA World’s Fair of Money in Rosemont, Illinois, from August 6-10, 2024. You can also see a video of top highlights of the collection at YouTube.com/ngccoinvideos.
The coins are being encapsulated with a special NGC certification label that highlights their connection to the esteemed L.E. Bruun Collection. The collection is insured for more than $70 million.
About Numismatic Guaranty Company ® (NGC®)
NGC is the world’s largest and most trusted third-party grading service for coins, tokens and medals, with more than 60 million collectibles certified, including a 1787 Brasher Doubloon that sold for a record $9.36 million. Founded in 1987, NGC provides an accurate, consistent and impartial assessment of authenticity and grade, backed by the comprehensive NGC Guarantee, which gives collectors greater confidence. To learn more, visit NGCcoin.com.
NGC is part of the Certified Collectibles Group® (CCG®), whose mission is to empower collectors with services that ignite passion, create value and build community. With more than 90 million collectibles certified across a wide range of categories, CCG’s four brands – NGC, Paper Money Guaranty® (PMG®), Certified Guaranty Company® (CGC®) and Authenticated Stamp Guaranty® (ASG®) – are synonymous with trust and expertise in their hobbies.
