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.
Agree. Amazing foresight by Lars Emil Bruun. I assume the Danish government’s coin collection hasn’t been lost or destroyed and that is why this collection is being made available to the public.
Ah, to enjoy the thought of those ancient artifacts! To imagine they had to handle those coins and currency. How did we ever live without our government provided ibands?
Low and behold, I guess better late than never for the general public, to be able to purchase prior to the price increases. Slated for publication tomorrow(7/9/24) in the Federal Register. “New Prices for Numismatic Silver Products”
https://public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2024-14957.pdf
Anybody know where I can find a list of what a complete set of proof American Silver Eagles consists of? Product numbers too, if possible. I tried an internet search multiple times over the past few years, all I get is the regular issues, 39 coins I think it was the last time I searched. I want a comprehensive list including special sets. I contacted the Mint yesterday, they were as much help as usual–none. They referred me to their “press list” page. Spent all of a minute not answering my question, if that. I guess it was too much… Read more »
Jeff, I have researched and produced a complete list of all the proof American Silver Eagles minted to date for my reference purposes, using multiple sources of information. The list for the years 1986-2023 consists of 48 regular Proofs and 8 Reverse Proofs. The key dates are: 2019-S Enhanced Reverse Proof (mintage = 29,909), 1995-W Proof (mintage = 30,102) and 2020-W v75 Privy Proof (mintage = 74,709).
Yes, Major D, only 19 through 2023. For what its worth, I have a mintage of 99,822 for the 2011-S Uncirculated (as well as for the 2011-P Reverse Proof: mintage = 99,882).
Yes, you could consider the 2019-W Enhanced Reverse Proof (mintage = 109,675) a “semi-key” date as it is the 7th lowest mintage American Silver Eagle to date.
Major D, as Rich pointed out there were actually 109,675 W ERP ASE’s, due to the 10,000 additional coins offered in the RCM version of the Pride of 2 Nations Sets.
Rich, Rick, E1, Cali, etc., I’ve been wanting those same lists for myself so I thank ALL that asked and ALL those that answered!!! This is all very good information and as we all know, “Knowledge is Power”!!! It helps us in many various ways. Great conversation! I’ve never been a Kennedy collector even tho I have a few but reading here more and more about the Kennedy’s, I’m starting to get that itch to look into “some” of the Kennedy’s but only in very high grade! I’m interested in the ‘65 – ’67, the ‘70 D and possibly a… Read more »
Ok Rich, Sounds like you are a researcher. Yes, that’s what it takes to be a numismatist. . Also, that is a pretty good piece of data. 8 reverse proofs – Copy that. What about number of burnished ASEs and their mintages. Now, if not you, maybe someone here could please produce an ASE list. A list that includes: Year, Mint Mark, Strike Type, Mintage, MS/PR 70 Population, and the current resale value. Please include only the top Rock Star ASEs. Yes, the top 10 ASE coins. Also, remember that the 2008 through 2015 coins were heavily spotted with calcium… Read more »
Hi E1,
I haven’t checked everywhere I can think of yet, but if there is no list out there currently, then most everyone everywhere would appreciate a list like that. I would not want Rich to do that much work based on my list request, but if he has the info already on a computer document, and he could attach the file here or copy/paste the info, I would not mind seeing that. Thanks for your contributions here, I have been particularly enjoying the coin interactions you have with Rick.
E1, here is the list of the Top 10 “Rock Star” ASEs based on mintage (Top 10 lowest mintages): 2019-S Enhanced Reverse Proof: mintage = 29,909; PCGS PR-70 pop = 5,106; PCGS PR-70 price guide = $2,600 1995-W Proof: mintage = 30,102; PCGS PR-70 pop = 504; PCGS PR-70 price guide = $20,000 2008-W Reverse of 2007 Uncirculated: mintage = 46,318 PCGS SP-70 pop = 1,495; PCGS SP-70 price guide = $1,200 2020-W v75 Privy Proof: mintage = 74,709; PCGS PR-70 pop = 10,343; PCGS PR-70 price guide = $600 2011-P Reverse Proof: mintage = 99,882; PCGS PR-70 pop =… Read more »
E1, two other Proof PR-70 ASEs that standout based on the PCGS Population Report and Price Guide are”
1993-P Proof: mintage = 405,913;
PGGS PR-70 pop = 18,533; PCGS PR-70 price guide = $800
1994-P Proof: mintage = 372,168;
PCGS PR-70 pop = 17,404; PCGS PR-70 price guide = $900
Rich,
Great job! Thank you.
E 1, my pleasure. BTW, the number of Uncirculated (Burnished) ASEs minted to date is 19 for the years 2006-2023.
Excellent!, Thank’s Rich,
That’s going to be entered into my lists’ of Keeper coins.
Not that I’ll pursue any, but you never know, and a great reference.
PS: *For whatever reasoning, PCGS has the 2011-S over in the MS category instead of the SP category. 2011-S MS70 = ($285)(@9871 pcs)…
Fun fact, the link below has my coins’ photo posted. It could be that my coin was the most recent coin in MS70?(4 mos ago)…
The link photo, and my phone photo are the same coin(now I feel famous lol)…
https://www.pcgs.com/coinfacts/coin/2011-s-1-silver-eagle-25th-anniversary-set/509299
A nice spot free specimen. Definitely a keeper.
Rick, thanks for the clarification of the PCGS population report and price guide information for the 2011-S Uncirculated (Burnished) ASE from the 25th Anniversary Set listing it under the Silver Eagles, MS rather than Silver Eagles, SP category.
Major D, yes, you are correct in that the PCGS Population Report and PCGS Price Guide is only for PCGS graded coins and the NGC Census (population report) and NGC Price Guide is only for NGC certified coins. I only reference and use PCGS and NGC sources, and do not follow ANACS, ICG or CAC (so all I have is the totals for PCGS + NGC).
Thanks Rich,
Nice to see you are still active here. The 48/8 info was quite helpful to me (first time I was able to find out how many make a truly complete set), but of course it was–your info has always been excellent here.
Thanks for the chart. I was lucky enough to get several of the 2008 W burnished ASE’s with the reverse of 2007 from my mint order. Later that year a coin show had them on one night for $135 in NGC MS70 and I bought 5 more. That turned out to be a steal!
Craig,
I have one of those. It would be disappointing to find out that it is only worth $135. I would be curious to know what it is worth today.
Cheers
E1 you’re sit’n pretty. NGC MS70 recents….
https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=2008+w+silver+eagle+reverse+2007&_sacat=0&Certification=NGC&Year=2008&Grade=MS%252070&_dcat=177653&rt=nc&LH_Sold=1&LH_Complete=1
Copy that.
Cheers Bro
Some of my spotless survivors. From back in the day when the TPGs did not issue 70’s. But, I know they are all 70’s and they are all spotless amazing beautiful specimens. I screened each and everyone of them from certified dozens every year as they came out hot off the presses. All I can say is “Thank You Tony.” To my good and dear friend in DT Reno. A great mentor. A Master Numismatist. You taught me so much. I am Forever Grateful to You Sir.
Cheers
Very nice set. It oozes quality. You’ve been at this awhile E1.
I’m not an ASE connoisseur like yourself and the many that are here chatting it up. I’m liking it! And appreciating it as well…
My humble ASE claim to fame? 4 little gems plucked from my lucky 5 coin set(s)Mint score back in the day. (Freed from a box just this year)….
Rick, Half Dollars are actually my major gig. But, I have other coins I collect too. I was soured by the ASE spot problem. But, there are a couple of ASE coins that are still worth holding. That is, the years that didn’t grow crazy calcium spots (2008-2015). I’ve already cut my losses though and will never go back to any modern mint one ounce silver product ever again. That 2011-S with no spots is a great coin to hold. I do like the ASE, but I am more partial to BU and Proof Walkers. If you can find superb… Read more »
Rick, I did a major zoom on your coins above. They actually look really good. I didn’t see any spots. The grading rule is, if the spots can not be seen without magnification, then they are not a distraction.
Later
They’re worth a hell of a lot more than $135.00! When I bought them it was the last time I saw them being offered for sale on tv. I think the people in know realised there were only about 42,000 error coins in total. Glad you were able to get one…they are a keeper!
I bought a few of those Pride of Two Nations as well from the mint. I’m particularly draw to the Reverse Proof/Enhanced Proof coins from the mint, at least when they were appropriately priced. The way I look at it, not every coin/set is going to ascend like NVDA, but that’s what makes it interesting…you always have to have an eye out for the key date coins. How did the coins look from the set you purchased from eBay? I always assume if you can buy them for less, they’ve been rejected by the grading companies. That’s just me though.
Hello Jeff Legan, in conjunction with the link Major D provided, here is another checklist, you may find helpful as well? Special sets were issued in 1995(4 American Au Eagles w/W Silver Eagle, 2006 3-coin set(W Unc & PF, P RP), 2011 5-coin set(W Unc & PF, S Unc, P RP, bullion no MM), 2012 S 2-coin set(PF & RP), 2013 W 2-coin set(RP & E UNC), 2021 W 2-coin Designer Set(RP Ty 1 & RP Ty 2). I think(?) that is it for special sets? Mintages should be compared across multiple sites to try and get as close to… Read more »
Thanks for chiming in on those 2021 Ty 2 product codes Maj D.
Hi CaliSkier,
Thanks for the info. Listing the special sets and how to figure out the product codes for the Eagles is great info for me, along with the additional product code info from Major D below. I will look at the link in a day or two. Glad to see a while ago you had decided to come back here again. The people you brought from the defunct site have been great additions (informative and low-conflict), and your coin info here has always been topnotch.
Thanks major D, I will look at this in a day or two. I am also going to contact Littleton to see if they have a list. I haven’t bought from them in years but I did spend probably 10 grand with them 15 years ago. Someone must have some kind of list, how do these dealers know if they have purchased a complete set or not without one? Still finding it hard to believe the Mint does not have one handy. A simple list of all the product numbers would be most helpful to me. I wrote the product… Read more »
I think I am about done with the ASE’s. I have everyone from 1986 up to 2024-W. I think I’ll stop there. I’ll buy them at a coin show in a few years for less than the mints price. In the meantime, I am keeping my powder dry for other coins.
Yeah East Coast Guru, That’s the same reason I am taking inventory now. I am done. Strike one for me was not making a proof in 2009, strike two was getting shut out of the 2017-S by bots, strike three was Ryder changing the ASE reverse to get himself in the ASE history books. Been mulling them since then, I just don’t feel the passion for them anymore. I will need some extra cash in a month or two so I am thinking it is time. I currently intend to replace them with Morgan/Peace purchases going forward, but that may… Read more »
Hi Major D, Thanks for the good wishes. I am intending to share how my experience goes. Might be a while yet though. I shouldn’t need the money till the end of August or so. Just gathering the product together and mapping out a plan right now. Might be weeks yet before I am in actual sell mode. I hope to sell it all in one shot, but we will see. That was how I started in 2006. Bought all that were released to date except for the 1995-W set, which was out of my price range then and is… Read more »
Hi Major D, What is the fee for eBay, anyway? I will check out APMEX after I hear what Littleton offers, I have been using APMEX to look up values since you first mentioned them some time ago. I really don’t intend to sell to a dealer, though. You know, selling them a bit at a time probably is the way to go, but I just do not want to deal with that many different people. I don’t actually need all the money I will get from selling my collection (and I hope that does not change, it could), dribs… Read more »
Egads, 13.25 percent. Looks like I would spend maybe $20 max to sell it in the local paper. I am not sure I am even interested in getting “started” at those rates. Thanks for the link anyway.
Yeah, you already appear to be correct. Sadly.
I see CaliSkier felt it necessary to create a Kamala Harris meme on a new thread 45 minutes ago.
Hi Major D, I guess you missed in my first reply to you where I said “I am not planning on selling to Littleton or any dealer currently but wanted to see how much Littleton would offer if they are even interested, since I was already emailing them about a list. I hope to sell mine for halfway between what a dealer would offer me and what a dealer would sell my own collection to me for. I assume that would be a fairly large spread. That way the person who buys my collection would get a bargain and I… Read more »
Jeff, E1, All, Here is an alternative and solid ASE resource linked below. It’s a good supplement to everybody’s posted info so far(with photos). It’s a TPG, but they have good coin info…Again, this is alternative/supplemental info for your quests for more ASE knowledge… From the Industry number/type of strike, Mintage figures, Specs, and price guides. Not to mention a general synopsis(not all) by Jamie Hernandez(bottom of page)of the coin type/strike you’re studying. The three ASE categories are there;(in Blue)- MS, PR, and SP. Check them all out at your leisure, or check your favorite coins. I just checked the… Read more »
Rick,
Looks like everything from 1986-2001 in MS-70 is complete and total pay dirt.
Nice piece of info.
Thanks
Time for CAC Gold Sticker Evaluation or Resubmits.
Yes and wow, I hadn’t noticed that MS70 list, I saw the Millennium set coin last night, that one was new to me. And the 1999 MS70–What the?! Resubmissions yes, it might just pay off!
Unfortunately CAC won’t take a look at any ASE’s for their stickering service. Like I’ve said before–they like the ‘old stuff’…
https://www.cacgrading.com/stickering/coins-accepted
Copy that.
Thanks Rick,
I will look at this link in a day or two also. Looks like this one I will end up spending a lot of time on when I start looking at it. I have never clicked on any links here but I am about to click on three of them in this thread alone. Thanks for all your contributions since you arrived, I have enjoyed them all.
✔️!
Crazy pricing on graded 70’s. Especially ones with David Hall. Why would anyone pay that premium for his signature is beyond me.
Well maybe, just maybe ECG, unlike, “Ozzie Smith”, Dennis Rodman”, “Ray Mancini”, “Rollie Fingers” and other non-coin related signatures put onto labels by the TPG’s, David Hall has his hands entrenched deep in the numismatic industry??? “Numismatist of the Century – David Hall” The excerpt below is from the linked article for any curious. “Hall and his team took Collectors Universe public in 1999, where it traded on the NASDAQ as CLCT. In early 2021, Collectors Universe was valued at $853 million to facilitate a private stock sale to an investor group led by Nat Turner, D1 Capital Partners and… Read more »
BAM!!!! Unlike a previous mint director, David Hall IS a true heavy hitter. His actions are actual out-of-the-park home runs. A numismatic slugger the equivalent of baseball’s Babe Ruth.
All the MNBers will remember our many comments about the “slugger”