1834 Capped Bust Quarter Dollar. B-2. Rarity-6 (as a Proof). Proof-67 Cameo (PCGS). This wonderful Superb Gem Proof is yet another old friend. We last saw it in March 1988 when we offered it as part of the Norweb Collection. Our description:

“A gem specimen of rare beauty. The obverse and reverse toning is so gorgeous as to almost defy description by the printed word. Against deep mirror surfaces is delicate light golden toning at the centers, gradually blending to electric blue and gold at the borders. A numismatic work of art!”

Today this memorable coin still merits the exclamation point.

Virgil M. Brand, mentioned below, formed a collection unequalled by any private collector in numismatic history. Starting in the 1880s and continuing until his passing in 1926 he gathered over 350,000 coins ranging from ancient to modern issues. Often he acquired duplicates—such as six of the ten known 1884 trade dollars. An avid scholar, he could discourse on any item he owned and often provided information to others on obscure items. After his death his collection passed to his two brothers, Horace Louis Philip Brand and Armin William Brand. In later years the coins were dispersed by them and their descendants, often without records being kept. In the 1980s we handled many Brand coins through the Morgan Guaranty Trust Co. and the Jane Brand Allen estate. Q. David Bowers wrote Virgil Brand: The Man and His Era as a tribute to his accomplishments.

Provenance: Possibly from the Virgil M. Brand estate; New Netherlands Coin Company, November 1954; our sale of the Ambassador and Mrs. R. Henry Norweb Collection, Part II, March 1988, lot 1554.

Rarities Auction Accompanying The D. Brent Pogue Collection

Stack’s Bowers Galleries will be hosting an exclusive Rarities Auction, held in conjunction with The D. Brent Pogue Collection. We will be accepting limited consignments of United States and world coins and paper money, featured in a spectacular catalog reserved for the rarest of the rare. Special terms will apply. If you are interested in participating in this unique opportunity, please call 949-748-4849 or email us at [email protected].

Alternatively, you can fill out our online consignment form. Click here to view the form.