In the world of numismatics, where the value of a coin often lies in its rarity, historical significance, and condition, the Traveller Collection stands out as an extraordinary treasure trove. Expected to fetch in excess of $100 million at auction, this vast collection of coins, many of which were buried underground for over 50 years, is set to make history. According to experts, it is the most expensive coin collection ever to come to auction, and its story is as fascinating as the coins themselves.

The Traveller Collection comprises coins from more than 100 territories around the globe, spanning from ancient times to the modern era. The collection's journey began in the aftermath of the Wall Street Crash of 1929, when an unidentified collector developed a passion for gold coins. This individual soon cultivated a taste for coins with great historical interest, beauty, and rarity, eventually amassing a collection of around 15,000 coins.

The 1930s were a transformative decade for the collector and his wife, who spent much of it traveling extensively through the Americas and Europe. Their journeys took them to various corners of the world, where they acquired rare and historically significant coins, meticulously documenting each purchase. This detailed record-keeping would later prove invaluable, as it allowed the auction house to trace the provenance and value of the coins, some of which could be linked back to auctions of the greatest collections of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Despite the looming threat of Hitler's Nazi party, the couple eventually settled in Europe. Sensing the imminent danger, the collector carefully packed the coins into cigar boxes, which were then transferred into aluminum boxes and buried underground. There, they remained for five decades, hidden away from the chaos of war and the passage of time.

When the coins were finally retrieved by the collector's heirs, they were stored in a bank vault before being presented to the auction house Numismatica Ars Classica for sale. The collection's remarkable preservation and the fascinating story behind it have captured the imagination of numismatists and collectors worldwide.

"The collection spans all geographical areas and contains exceptionally rare coins often in a state of preservation never seen in modern times. Several types have never been offered in a public auction, highlighting their considerable rarity," said a press release from the auction house. Among the highlights is a 100 ducat gold coin of Ferdinand III of Habsburg, minted in 1629 when he was Archduke of Austria, King of Hungary, Croatia, and Bohemia. This coin, made up of 348.5 grams of fine gold, is one of the largest denominations of European gold coins ever minted.

Another notable piece is an "exceedingly rare" set of five Tomans, minted in Tehran and Isfahan in the late 18th and early 19th century by Agha Mohammad Khan Qajar. Only five complete such sets are known to exist, one of which is housed in the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford, United Kingdom.

Arturo Russo, director of Numismatica Ars Classica, described the collection as a landmark in the history of numismatics. "The vast range and superb quality of the coins offered, the sheer number of great rarities, and the fascinating story of the collection's formation will make these sales a landmark in the history of numismatics," he said.

David Guest, director of David Guest Numismatics and consultant to the collection, echoed Russo's sentiments. "When it came to cataloguing the British coins from the Traveller Collection, I had to keep pinching myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. Not only was the quality exceptional, but many of the coins before me were of types not known to have been offered for sale in over 80 years and, in some cases, completely unrecorded."

The Traveller Collection is not just a collection of coins; it is a time capsule, preserving the history and culture of civilizations past. Each coin tells a story, from the ancient empires of Greece and Rome to the modern nations of today. The collection's journey from the collector's travels to its decades-long burial and eventual rediscovery is a testament to the enduring allure of numismatics.

As the auction house prepares to sell the collection over the next three years, with the first sale taking place on May 20, the anticipation is palpable. Numismatists and collectors around the world are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to acquire a piece of this extraordinary collection, each coin a tangible connection to the past.

In a world where history is often lost to time, the Traveller Collection stands as a remarkable reminder of the enduring power of human curiosity and the timeless appeal of rare and beautiful objects. Whether displayed in a museum or cherished in a private collection, these coins will continue to inspire awe and fascination for generations to come.