The Brand Collection
Selling coins in 1983 and 1984 and again in 1989 and 1990
for the heirs of Virgil M. Brand was an experience that all of us involved will
always remember. The reputation of Brand, who had passed away in 1926, remained
larger than life in numismatics. Everyone had heard about Brand and his immense
collection, which at one time numbered some 350,000 specimens, but little was
available in the way of factual information. With the assistance of David and
Susan Tripp and the Brand family, I was able to write the biography of this
remarkable man, a giant of a numismatist who ate, slept, and breathed coins.
When the Brand coins crossed the auction block, the entire
numismatic world was thrilled to see rarities and other pieces which had been
off the market for a generation or more. Interestingly, one of my favorite items
in the Brand Collection was not a coin at all, but was a set of 1796 Seasons
medals issued under the administration of President George Washington for
distribution as peace medals to Indians. The gorgeous set of four silver Proof
medals fetched $50,000, a record, but in terms of numismatic significance and
American history, a bargain.
Selling coins at auction can be a profitable way to dispose
of your holdings, and buying at auction can be exciting and fun. There is no
doubt that just about every notable collection ever formed was acquired, at
least in part, by auction purchases. In America there are a number of fine
auction houses to choose from, and in addition to the well-known Auctions by
Bowers and Merena events, sales held by firms such as Stack's, Heritage, Pacific
Coast Auction Galleries, David Akers, Superior, and Rarcoa, among others,
attract a wide clientele.
How to Buy at Auction
Buying at auctions can be a very enjoyable and profitable
procedure if you follow certain steps. Certain procedures are similar to those
you should follow in a mail bid sale (to be discussed subsequently). Here are
some guidelines:
