NGC-certified Una and the Lion Realizes $1.2 Million in Traveller Collection Auction at NAC

A stunning pair of Una and the Lion coins, sold separately and certified by Numismatic Guaranty Company® (NGC®), together realized more than $1.5 million in an auction of Traveller Collection coins presented by Numismatica Ars Classica (NAC) on May 20, 2025.

The top coin was a Great Britain 1839 Una and the Lion 5 Sovereign graded NGC PF 64 Ultra Cameo (lot 2161), raced past its estimate of CHF 250,000 to realized CHF 980,000 (about $1.2 million). This coveted coin's design is generally regarded as the most attractive in English numismatic history. The obverse features a bust of Queen Victoria while the coin's famous reverse depicts Victoria as Lady Una, a character from Edmund Spenser’s 1590 poem "The Faerie Queene."

W&R-277	W&R-278	W&R-279
Click images to enlarge.

This particular coin is an extremely rare variety known by its catalog number of W&R-277. It is distinguished by having one plain and one ornamental fillet in Queen Victoria’s hair. The two most popular varieties, W&R-278 and W&R-279, each have two ornamental fillets with subtle differences in their designs. While the NGC Census records several dozen examples each of W&R-278 and W&R-279, it contains only five examples of W&R-277.

Remarkably, this wasn’t the only NGC-certified Una and the Lion in the auction. A silver example graded NGC PF 65 Ultra Cameo (lot 2162), realized CHF 318,500 (about $390,000).

The Traveller Collection was formed by a numismatic enthusiast who had acquired great rarities in Europe, which he decided to bury in a field as Nazi forces threatened his country. Sadly, he died following a stroke a short time later and his wife left the collection unearthed for half a century. NGC is honored to have certified rarities from this collection and has created a special label that recognizes its unique place in numismatic history.

Other NGC-certified coins sold in this auction included:

• a Great Britain 1798-dated Gold Pattern 5 Guineas graded NGC PF 64 Ultra Cameo (lot 2136), which realized CHF 416,500 (about $507,000)
• a Great Britain 1826 Gold Pattern 5 Sovereign - Plain Edge graded NGC PF 64+ Cameo (lot 2151), which realized CHF 343,000 (about $418,000)
• a Great Britain 1820 Gold Pattern 5 Sovereign graded NGC PF 61 Cameo (lot 2139), which realized CHF 318,500 (about $387,000)
• a Great Britain 1910 Gold Crown graded NGC PF 63 Ultra Cameo (lot 2191), which realized CHF 294,000 (about $358,000)
• a Great Britain 1714/1 Gold 5 Guineas graded NGC MS 64 (lot 2057), which realized CHF 269,500 (about $327,000)
• a Great Britain 1902 Gold Pattern Crown graded NGC MS 62 (lot 2189), which realized CHF 208,250 (about $254,000)
• a Great Britain 1720/16 5 Guineas graded NGC MS 62 (lot 2068), which realized CHF 147,000 (about $179,000)
• a Great Britain 1702 Gold Battle of Vigo Bay Medal graded NGC MS 64 PL (lot 2050), which realized CHF 134,750 (about $164,000)
• an England 1665 Gold Battle of Lowestoft Medal graded NGC MS 62 (lot 2001), which realized CHF 104,125 (about $126,000)
• a Great Britain 1893 Gold Pattern Sovereign graded NGC PF 63 (lot 2181), which realized CHF 104,125 (about $126,000)
• an England 1691 Elephant & Castle 5 Guineas graded NGC MS 62 (lot 2030), which realized CHF 98,000 (about $119,000)

Prices realized include a buyer’s premium. The $ symbol indicates US Dollars.