Q. David Bowers
In 1955 Charles Green joined his wife Ruth as a PNG member. Also coming aboard were Maurice Gould (of the Copley Coin Company, Boston), William Fox Steinberg (who was a familiar figure at conventions at the time and whose Florida business later became well known in the field of gold coins), Leo A. Young (of Oakland, California) and Harry Mathews. Soon to become a tradition was the special PNG Day prior to the annual convention of the American Numismatic Association convention. The first PNG Day was held in Omaha, Nebraska, with Aubrey Bebee handling the details. Aubrey and Adeline Bebee had their hands full with other matters as well; they were the official convention as well; they were the official convention auctioneers.
'For the term 1955-1956, Sol Kaplan was elected to the presidency, a post he was to hold until 1960," Abe Kosoff wrote in his recollections of the PNG. 'Those of us who were Professional Numismatists Guild members during those years are aware of the many contributions for which Sol was responsible. If I was PNGS Washington,' Sol certainly was its 'Lincoln,' " Abe Kosoff related. "Sol was my close and dear friend for 34 years, and we worked together frequently. One of our biggest disputes, however, involved conflicting ideas concerning the PNG membership. In fact, Sol left the PNG because of it. Our friendship was too strong and our mutual interest in PNG was too sincere, however, for Sol to stay out of the fold too long; and I finally induced him to return. That his efforts were appreciated is evidenced by the fact that he became Honorary Life Member No. 2. Tim Shroyer had been honored as No. 1 and myself as No. 3. Only one other, John Smies, in 1975, became an honorary life member; he was given No. 4. Sol's other officers for 1955-1956 were Jim Kelly as vice-president, Tim Shroyer as secretary-treasurer, and Dave Karp and I were directors."
The Kaplan-Kosoff dispute centered upon membership procedures. Sol Kaplan preferred the PNG to be in the manner of a private club. Only the creme de la creme were to be invited to join. It was not an organization aspiring to have a large number of members. A small clan, much like a closely-knit fraternity, was Sol's objective.
On the other hand, Abe Kosoff envisioned the PNG as an organization which should open its door to any qualified applicant who met stated requirements of financial responsibility, integrity, ethics and tenure and in the business. Abe did not think it mattered if dealers were members of the "old guard" or had been on the scene for many years. with a much larger membership, the PNG could do many more things for the hobby and for the profession, Abe Kosoff reasoned. Eventually, what amounted to a compromise was effected. The membership requirements for PNG were strict, and existing members resewed the right to vote "no" on any applicant who was not desired, without having to state a reason. Even so, the membership grew steadily. The roster of PNG membership numbers shows the trend. Numbers 1 through 34 (except No. 5, which was given out in 1956) were designated as charter members. Then the beginning membership numbers each year were designated as follows: 1956 (members joining that year were given numbers 35 through 40) 1957 (41 to 47), 1958 (48 to 50), 1959 (51 to 56), 1960 (57 and 58), and 1961 (59 to 66). In 1962 no new members were admitted.
After that, membership increased much more rapidly: 1963 (membership numbers 67 through 75 were awarded), 1964 (76 to 77), 1965 (79 to 113), 1966 (114 to 132), 1967 (133 to 146), 1968 (147 to 151), 1969 (152 to 169), 1970 (170 to 177), 1971 (178 to 187), 1972 (188 to 202), 1973 (203 to 217), 1974 (218 to 249), 1975 (250 to 262), 1976 (263 to 272), 1977 (273 to 2861,1978 (287 to 301), 1979 (302 to 311),1980 (312 to 319), 1981 (320 to 327), 1982 (328 to 335), 1983 (336 to 345), 1984 (346 to 349), and in 1985 beginning with number 350.
The growth of the Professional Numismatists Guild can be dramatically stated by noting that more members joined in 1974-33- than had joined in the seven years from 1956 through 1962!
The membership policies of the Professional Numismatists Guild were to remain a subject of debate for many years. "If a dealer is involved in an activity which should be questioned or censored, we can do it if he is a PNG member, but if he is not a PNG member, there is nothing we can do," said Abe Kosoff many times. It was his feeling that the PNG, perhaps like the army, would straighten out anyone who had the slightest stoop. Others continued to feel that the PNG should remain a closed club. From the very start the PNG fostered a camaraderie among members, with the result that membership in the organization was viewed with pride and pleasure by nearly everyone who joined.
As the PNG grew, it was decided to adopt a formal Code of Ethics and to devise an emblem. Tames Kelly was out to work drafting the code of conduct and ethics proposal, while it fell to Abe to desim a trademark. It turned out that the emblem, which later became very familiar-that of a magnifying glass and book superimposed with the words KNOWLEDGE, INTEGRITY and RESPONSIBILITY was suggested by Richard S. Yeoman, the author of the Guide Book of United States Coins and one of the most prominent and popular personalities in the coin collecting scene.
From time to time resignations occurred. Abe Kosoff later related that "Somewhere along the line, Stack's dropped out, and I cannot recall just how long they were part of the group. The letterhead late in 1950 included their name. By 1954 the name had been deleted. Happily, Stack's is back with us again. Jim Randall also resigned, and in the ensuing years certain other resignations involved Lester Merkin, Max Kaplan, William Fox Steinberg and Norman Shultz." Some resignations involved retirement. Once a dealer reached retirement age, the expense of PNG membership, which often involved special assessments for projects, was no longer related to business. Later, the PNG modified its financial requirements for those who were no longer active in the profession but who wished to continue their affiliation.
In the early 1960s, the Teletype emerged as a link to dealers across the United States. Several different circuits were set up, most of which were concerned with the trading of bulk and modern items such as rolls, Proof sets, and the like. The PNG for a short time set up its own Teletype system, and over two dozen members signed up. "It was fun but not very profitable, the group being too small," Abe Kosoff recalled. 'We used to call it 'The Monster,' and I remember sending frequent messages like leaving now for the rest of the day,' and in a flash Foxy Steinberg would respond, 'Have a good golf game!' We did do a bit of business and also carried on official Guild matters over the Teletype, but eventually the project was dropped."
Soon after James F. Ruddy joined the Professional Numismatists Guild in 1960, he was named to its Board of Directors and became the executive secretary, taking over much work formerly accomplished by Sol Kaplan, who continued to advise him on many matters. For five years Jim Ruddy, without compensation, handled countless transactions involving membership applications, disputes between dealers, relations with clients, PNG Day and other bourse arrangements, and the like. Later, Jim Ruddy was given the only Distinguished Service Award ever bestowed by the group. It was realized that the position of executive secretary had grown to the point that it was too much for an unpaid volunteer who was conducting a separate business. The first outside executive secretary was hired, attorney Max M. Schwartz, a fine numismatist whose collecting activities in the field of tokens and large cents were well known to the fraternity. Then followed John Smies, who served with distinction for many years until he retired to return to being an active dealer. Next was Douglas Weaver, who performed with high grades, to be followed by Paul Koppenhaver, another well-respected established professional.