5
1
Rhodochrosite from USA, Colorado, Sweet Home Mine
5
1
0 for sale
The “Alma Queen” formerly known as the, "Bancroft Rhodochrosite." Was most recently on exhibit at the 2026 TGMS Show in Tucson as part of the David P. Wilber Memorial Case organized by Hannah Brodhagen.
Jeff Scovil Photo
Product details
Known provenance
| Date | Collector | Acquisition price |
|---|---|---|
| — | Peter Bancroft | Not disclosed |
Peter Bancroft's son, Ed, saw this piece on exhibit at a mineral show and brought it to his father's attention. Peter immediately needed it and ended up purchasing it from the owner. Peter used this on the cover of his book, "The World's Finest Minerals and Crystals," published in 1973 and it was then known as the, "Bancroft Rhodochrosite." | ||
| 1970 | David P Wilber | Not disclosed |
Wilber was able to purchase the Bancroft Rhodochrosite, as it was then called, from Peter when he purchased 52 specimens from the Bancroft Collection. He paid about $300,000 for the 52 pieces in the 70s and this was considered the most anyone had ever paid for an American collection. Most people thought Wilber was crazy - he was just way ahead of his times because he knew that the value of minerals were going to skyrocket some day. | ||
| 1974 | Edward Swoboda | Not disclosed |
Swoboda was Bancroft's best friend since they were in Glendale High School together. He acquired the Bancroft Rhodochrosite when Wilber offered it in trade to him, along with $50,000 cash and a Rolls Royce automobile, for the Rabbit Ears blue cap tourmaline from the Tourmaline Queen Mine. | ||
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