A copy of the world's largest silver coin goes under the hammer in Bermuda this week.

Among other items of interest in the auction are a collection of 24 medals depicting the life of Sir Winston Churchill, a 1902 stamp collection, and Bermudian memorabilia, including a 1903 passenger list from the steamship Pretoria , which regularly sailed to the Island from New York.

The collection is being sold by a Bermudian woman in her eighties who did not want her name to be published. The woman, who is in hospital, will be moving into a nursing home.

A copy of the biggest silver coin ever minted, the 20 Balboa piece from Panama, is expected to attract a keen interest from collectors.

The coin, one of around 4,000 issued in 1974, was sold by the government of Panama to raise money. It measures about four inches wide and cost around $400 in 1974. The price of silver was at a premium then as the tycoon Nelson Bunker Hunt was trying to buy up the world's supply of the precious metal.

The collection of medals about the life of Churchill is contained in a leather-bound folder and was issued in 1974, the centenary of the British war-time Prime Minister's birth.

Auctioneer Eric Slope, of Eric Slope Antiques and Collectibles, said there was no reserve price on the silver coin.

He said: "It is probably more of a novelty than anything else. It is a proof coin as opposed to one that would be put into normal circulation. Bermuda has produced triangular coins, aimed at collectors.

"The collection of Winston Churchill medallions traces his life and has sayings from his speeches. There are some people who like medals and others who are very fond of Churchill and anything connected to him.'' The collection also includes an edition of The Royal Gazette from 1878, maritime items, 1930s military cigarette cards, a passenger list from the Queen of Bermuda from 1936, furniture, china, crystal and linen.

Mr. Slope added: "It is a broad-based collection of stamps, coins, cigarette cards and Bermudian memorabilia...'' A preview of the collection will be held at Apartment 39 Mayflower Court, Woodbourne Avenue, Pembroke tomorrow from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. and on Friday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The auction will be held at the same address on Saturday from 12.30 p.m.