The impact of the war inside Ukraine is not just a war inside of the Ukraine. Many nations have taken in Ukranian families, and the impact of higher food prices and shortages is being felt globally. It seems hard to imagine that the collectibles industry in one swoop could make a $100-Million-Plus donation, but that’s what happened.

Without knowing who the winning bidder was, it may not be fair to say that collectors came to Ukraine’s aid here. There are also not any known collectors of Nobel Peace Prize medals that come to mind. Still, Heritage Auctions is one of the key destinations for the entire collectibles industry so that is the stance for this view.

Heritage Auctions just raised $103.5 million for UNICEF via the sale of the 2021 Nobel Peace Prize medal awarded to independent Russian journalist and Novaya Gazeta editor-in-chief, Dmitry Muratov. The buyer is anonymous and the live auction event at the Times Center in Manhattan this Monday night was the event.

According to Heritage’s release, the proceeds raised from the auction will support UNICEF’s humanitarian response to the war in Ukraine and affected regions. The move was intended to bring worldwide attention to Muratov’s desire to aid those impacted by the war. If a single sale of an item fetching $103.5 million is not a statement, then what is?

Bidding on this Nobel Peace Prize medal opened on June 1, but the June 20 auction went from $787,500 to $1 million. After hitting $2 million and then $3 million, the price went past $16 million. Heritage’s release then said that about 23 minutes after the auction began, one phone bidder moved in with a bid of $103.5 million.

The image below is from Heritage Auctions and the press release gives more details — including the notes that the winning bidder wishes to remain anonymous, and also that the funds have already been remitted to UNICEF.