A previously unreported collection of ancient, world, and U.S. rare coins has been revealed to the collecting community. The Tyrant Collection, which includes a 1937 Edward VIII proof set, will be publicly displayed in exhibits at Long Beach Expo conventions over several years.

“For a number of years, The Tyrant collector has been assembling what is undoubtedly the world’s most valuable coin collection in private hands, worth hundreds of millions of dollars,” said Ira Goldberg, President of Goldberg Coins and Collectibles, Inc. who provided assembling guidance for The Tyrant Collection. “I’m sure collectors will be surprised and delighted as more information is revealed about upcoming displays of this remarkable collection.”

“The focus of the collection is tyrants of every age and culture,” the anonymous owner of The Tyrant Collection said. 

“Tyrants go by many titles: kings and queens, emperors and empresses, czars and czarinas, dictators, regents, popes, caliphs, sultans, and khans. But what defines them is their absolute power over a territory containing millions of people. Tyrants have been the primary shapers of history for thousands of years. One of the first things tyrants do upon obtaining power is strike coins with their name and likeness, announcing their claim to their territory. And they continue to mint coins to maintain their claim until the day they die or are deposed. Everyday coinage is the primary means by which tyrants notify their subjects and rivals of their tyranny,” the collector said.

“Coins still exist for nearly every tyrant of the last 2,000 years who ever ruled a substantial country for more than a few weeks. The objective of The Tyrant Collection is to obtain a coin of every tyrant who ruled every major territory or country, preferably a large gold coin boldly displaying the tyrant’s name, likeness and titles,” he added.

The Tyrant Collection is divided into section by major civilizations. Since civilizations need access to water and are often developed around bodies of water, the Tyrant Collection sections are named after the bodies of water they dominate.

The Tyrants of the Thames portion comprises the most valuable collection of English coins in private hands. In addition to the Edward VIII complete proof set, there are dozens of major rarities.

“Large portrait coins are works of art commissioned by tyrants who commanded the greatest artists of their realms to render their effigies to last for thousands of years. The artistry is amazing. The few paintings or statues of the most influential and powerful people in history are locked away in museums that the public almost never sees. But here at the Long Beach Expo you will be able to see thousands of contemporary portraits, from life, of the most famous and powerful figures of history. I had so much fun assembling this collection that I want to share with the public the centuries of art, history, power, and money it comprises,” the collector said.

The first exhibit of the Tyrant Collection will be displayed on February 22-24, 2018 at the Long Beach Coin, Currency, Stamp and Sports Collectible Expo. Further details can be found at www.LongBeachExpo.com.