Q. David Bowers
By Ed Rochette
There is in the Hall of Fame of the American Numismatic Association a plaster model for a medallic bust to honor Abe Kosoff. Sculptured by U.S. Mint engraver Michael Iacocca, the model portrays Abe in a classic pose not unlike one on a coin of the realm. The three-quarter profile shows Abe as I best remember him. The whiteness of the plaster accentuates the wavy mane that earned him the nickname of "The Silver Fox." His visage is gentlemanly serious, and for those who remember him well, I am pleased to see that Mr. Iacocca did not overlook the ever present, silent smile in the corner of Abe's eye. For a brief instant, one can imagine him saying, "Hi!"
Abe Kosoff was one of seven renowned numismatists elected to the Numismatic Hall of Fame in 1982. From the 24 electors voting, Abe received 17 votes. At the time, he was among the first living numismatists to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame. The biography of Abe Kosoff, presented to the electors to weigh and judge the sixteen nominees in 1982, read, "Few, if any, men have had as outstanding careers as professional numismatists while at the same time contributed so much to the advancement of the hobby as Abe Kosoff. He became a dealer in 1929 (age 17) and in 1941 founded the Numismatic Gallery in New York City. Thereafter his prestige as an all-round numismatist rose rapidly. Of far-reaching impact on the hobby was the Professional Numismatists Guild that Kosoff spearheaded and served as founding president during 1954-55. He was active in many numismatic organizations from the local to the national level, readily accepting a variety of assignments, such as putting in many an hour over a four-year period on developing the ANA Grading Service. Many of Kosoff's achievements have been recognized with awards, including the ANA Medal of Merit in 1958 and its Farran Zerbe Memorial Award in 1972, the IAPN gold honor medal in 1973, and the PNG Founders' Award in 1976. He is the author of numerous outstanding catalogs, books and articles on a wide variety of topics. The following tribute summed up an observance of his fiftieth year as a professional numismatist, 'Abe Kosoff has given his adult life to numismatics. The hobby, the industry the science is enriched beyond measure.' " His was the longest biography presented that year.
Abe Kosoff's portrait would not look out of place stamped on the obverse of a coin of the realm. If a nation honors its founding fathers on coins, then why should numismatists not honor a founding father of modern-day coin collecting? Abe helped shape the hobby as we know it today. No name in the field during the last half century was unaware of Abe Kosoff. Few leaders were not associated with him in one way or another; the most famous coins passed through his hands; and few coins are sold today without reference to the grading system he helped develop. But, for all the public Abe Kosoff, there was a second, very personal caring man. If I were to be called upon to share my most intrinsic recollection of Abe Kosoff, it would be a very private one moment of personal adversity that he helped make easier to bear. I had just returned from the hospital. Exploratory surgery revealed the worst. My wife's suspected malignancy had been confirmed. The doctors weren't the least encouraging. The ANA office offered an escape, there was refuge in work. It was as if Abe sensed something wrong. The first phone call I received on my return to the office was from Abe. Choked with emotion, I could only listen. Abe's words his understanding and counseling could only have come from one who shared a similar experience. Had Abe's son, Steve, and my wife, Faye, lived they would have been about the same age.
I knew the inner Abe Kosoff, and I know that I was fortunate. But for all of us, touched directly through experience or indirectly through the hobby, we enjoy a more professional pursuit or pleasurable avocation, or hobby- whatever you choose to call it.