Delmar Norris Bland

Born October 26, 1933 – Died, October 16, 2018 Stanwood, WA – Delmar Norris Bland, or Del, 84, passed away the afternoon of Tuesday, October 16, in his home, after a period of heart trouble. Del was an expert numismatician, one of the world’s most consulted authorities on early coins of the United States.

He leaves behind his three beloved sons and their families, Stephen Bland, 58, of Sea Girt, New Jersey, and his wife, Lisa Bland, and daughter Julia; Gary Bland, 56, of Bethesda, Maryland, and his wife, Lynda Grahill, son, Carson, and daughter, Emery; and Larry Bland, 55, of Madison, New Jersey, and his wife, Donna Bland, daughters, Courtney and Kaitlyn, and son, Thomas.

Born in Orange, Texas, son of Tracy Bland and Marion (Bland) Neil, Del spent his school-aged years in Everett, Washington, where he settled with his mother as a young boy. He graduated from Everett High, where he was a varsity athlete in three sports, in 1951. After spending some time at the University of Washington and Everett Junior College, he relocated to San Jose, California, where he lived for many years. He received his degree at San Jose State University. A veteran of the Korean War, he served most of his time in the Army in Germany.

Del began collecting, buying and selling coins—primarily U.S. large cents from the colonial era—in the 1950s. Coin collecting became his passion and his profession for the rest of this life.

He ultimately became one of the country’s foremost experts on early American copper large cents, particularly on the 56 varieties of 1794 large cent. He traveled all over the country for coin shows and received multiple awards from U.S. numismatic associations for his research and expertise on large cents. He is a co-author of Walter Breen’s Encyclopedia of Early United States Cents, providing, according to one numismatic expert, “incomparable pedigree and condition census research” in support of the publication.

Del’s love of large cents was matched by his joy of playing basketball, which he did competitively until age 75. He traveled the world with his East Bank Saloon teammates, won championships—and MVP awards—usually playing at least three times a week at his favorite gyms near his home, and especially at the Everett YMCA.

Del married his beloved Nancy (Angell) Bland in 1978. They met at Hereth’s Thriftway in Snohomish. Del and Nancy loved to hit the casinos in the area, go to garage sales, and spend time visiting friends and relatives. Collecting something or another was one of their favorite hobbies, and they loved their dogs. He also loved Rocky Road ice cream and Dinty Moore beef stew; she loved wine and thrift shops. Nancy passed away in February 2018.

A private funeral and burial service will be held on October 20 in Snohomish, Washington, with Bauer Funeral Services of Snohomish, WA.

In lieu of flowers, donations is his remembrance may be made to N.O.A.H. Animal Shelter in Stanwood, WA, or PAWS.