Abe Kosoff: Dean of Numismatics
Q. David Bowers
A tribute and memorial to Abe Kosoff placed by his friends, Aubrey and Adeline Bebee, in "The Numismatist,'' May 1983.
"A gentleman and a scholar. Those terms well describe Abe Kosoff. He loved the hobby and the people in it. Mind to mind, heart to heart. Abe Kosoff's duties were well performed, and his days well spent. He applied reason before every expertise, applied counsel before action.
"The hobby owes Abe Kosoff a great debt as a Washington' of the PNG. He guided his colleagues to a high level, based on knowledge, responsibility and integrity. PNG policies set a precedent and a new confidence in the industry.
"He worked tirelessly for better counterfeit detection and grading practices, pioneered the ANA's Certification Senrice and co-authored The Official American Numismatic Association Grading Standards for United States Coins.
"Perhaps we should draw upon the words of his contemporaries, and not turn to the sages of yesteryear, described as sentiment expressed at Abe's death.
"His good friend, Paul Koppenhaver, said helplessly, What can I say about Abe? Rabbi Joseph Hunvitz at Abe's funeral used a parable of competing sons, tested by their father to fill completely a room. Two sons worked long and hard to fill the room, one with straw, the other with dirt. The materials settled and left a gap. The third son, likened to Abe, lit a candle at the last moment, filling the room completely with light that spilled out when the door was open.
"Abe Kosoff was like a candle to the hobby he loved. The light continues to spill out the door."
A new chapter, but hardly the final one-as Abe will continue to be remembered for many years was written in April 1985, when it was announced that Auctions by Bowers and Merena, Inc., would sell at umesenred public sale the numismatic holdings of Abe Kosoff. Q. David Bowers was named to write Abe Kosoff's biography, including recollections earlier penned by Kosoff himself and tributes by his colleagues and contemporaries.
Hence, the volume now in your hands. Abe Kosoff: dean of American professional numismatists. A legend in his own time.
A memorial notice placed by Abe Kosoff's family. (''The Numismatist," May 1983)