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: