The Vast Archer M. Huntington collection of coins relating to the history of Spain will be offered as a single lot in a sealed-bid auction at Sotheby’s New York, Sotheby’s website says.

Sotheby’s will offer the magnificent Archer M. Huntington Collection of coins from the Hispanic world in a sealed bid auction ending on 8 March 2012. Assembled more than a century ago, the 37,895 pieces form the most spectacular collection of coins relating to the entirety of Spanish history that is housed outside of Spain. The ambitious collection is among the finest and most comprehensive ever to be assembled, either by an individual or institution. The collection is being sold by the Hispanic Society of America (HSA) and proceeds will be used for future acquisitions and collection care. Through the sealed bid auction process, clients will be invited to place written bids on the collection as a whole.

The collection is expected to realize between $25/35 million, and will be on public exhibition in its entirety at Sotheby’s York Avenue galleries during February 2012.