Abe Kosoff: Dean of Numismatics
Q. David Bowers
"Sound Advice is Worth the Price" was a phrase used in many of Abe Kosoff's ads during the 1970s, including the February 1971 advertisement from "The Numismatic Scrapbook Magazine" shown above.
The 1972 Silver Anniversary Edition of the "Guide Book of United States Coins" saluted a number of experts who had served as consultants for 20 years or more. Among them was Abe KosoH. ("The Numismatic Scrapbook Magazine," July 1971)
"As if this acquisition, plus the recent purchase of the 1894-S Barber dime, was not enough, Warren E. Tucker and John D. Hamrick, Jr., of Worldwide, then bought the Idler 1804 silver dollar from any firm, Abe Kosoff, Inc., Palm Springs, California. So, the 'King of American silver coins' has also changed hands. That $1.15 in face value represents an outlay of almost a quarter of a million dollars,' Tucker said as he presented the $180,000 check for the 1913 Liberty Head nickel and the 1804 dollar, now companion pieces to the 1894-5 dime purchased earlier by World-Wide for some $50,000. You may quote me that it cost more than any other silver dollar realized, and I .now that the Mickley piece went for $77,500,' Tucker added. 'I consider the 1804 silver dollar to re on a par with the 1913 nickel. In fact, when Kosoff made a public offering of the two coins, le priced each the same at $100,000. I will confess that in view of the considerable sum involved, consideration was made. No, I cannot see that these two rarities are anything but $100,000 beauties,' Tucker said.
"Hydeman had been reluctant to dispose of the nickel. Even when I catalogued Hydeman's collection in 1961, the owner placed a reserve which vas announced at $50,000. At the time Hydeman expressed a hope that nobody would pay any lore. He wanted to keep the coin.
"Now that it has been sold, Hydeman says, 'I feel naked.' He is proud, however, to have been he owner of the very first $100,000 coin. The there four specimens of the nickel are in the Eliasberg, Norweb, Bebee, and perhaps the Reynolds collections.
"As for the dollar, Tucker said: 'Don't forget the wonderful pedigree: Capt. Haseltine, H.O. Granberg, William C. Atwater, W.W. Neil, and Edwin M. Hydeman. And now we own it. Never in my wildest dreams would I hope to own such coins.