Abe Kosoff: Dean of Numismatics

In February of the same year, Abe Kosoff appeared on Los Angeles television station KTSL with movie star Richard Webb. Few people owned LV sets at that time, but those who did heard and .aw Abe Kosoff speak about and show interesting coins, pirate money, platinum pieces, patterns, colonials, and ancient issues.

The Numismatic Gallery Monthly for February vas devoted to Auction Sale No. 49, an offering of 810 lots of United States coins. It was reported hat the May 1948 issue of the Numismatic Gallery Monthly, Vol. 1, No.1, was becoming scarce. The popular "Money Talks" column observed that on a recent radio show Amos and Andy "horse played around a rare 1877 nickel."

The March 1949 issue of The Numismatist carried as its lead article "Private Gold Coinage of California," by Abe Kosoff. The four-page spread was an overview of coins minted from 1849 through 1855 by various banks, assayers, and others. In an era in which catalogue listings in the Standard Catalogue of United States Coins and A Guide Book of United States Coins, not to overlook auction catalogues and price lists, contained little in the way of editorial information, the article was greeted with enthusiasm. The writer was quite proud of it and referred to it on numerous later occasions.

Increasingly, the Numismatic Gallery Monthly was the journal of record for what was happening with Abe Kosoff, Abner Kreisberg, and the Numismatic Gallery.

How to house coins was the lead-off commentary in the March 1949 issue. Recommended for circulated coins were inexpensive Whitman folders, while owners of Uncirculated, Proof, and especially rare pieces were advised that the National holders by Wayte Raymond were ideal. Indeed, most old-timers used the National pages. These remained popular until about the late 1950s. After the death of Wayte Raymond, these (and related holders made by Meghrig) continued in widespread use for a short time, but eventually they were replaced by albums issued by the Coin & Currency Institute and Whitman. Those desiring maximum protection purchased plastic holders.

A commentary on the practices of dealers-the situation that few competitors ever had any nice things to say about another, was presented under the title "Silly Symphony, Part II," signed by "Hal. U. Cination"(!)-which noted:

"One day I wandered into an unfamiliar coin dealer's shop. Two or three others were either buying or selling. While waiting, I looked about. The dealer seemed as interested in the coins the collectors already had as he was in the coins they wanted to buy. He said nothing derogatory about the dealer down the street. If he did mention his name the comment was favorable. The collectors made no insinuating or discouraging remarks about others.

"When my turn came I stated my wants and was surprised to see that many were available. I was impressed that the proprietor seemed willing to show his coins, for others had told me that he would have nothing I wanted (even before it was town what I did want). I bought more than I had intended for my intention was not diverted by the test numismatic scandal, what a clip Jones was, now this dealer was down and out, or why numisatic clubs were so badly managed.

Adolph Friedman, a close friend of the Kosoff family, collected various series of coins and sold them on several occasions through the Numismatic Gallery. This February 1949 advertisement from "The Numismatist" takes note of Friedman's silver dollars to be offered as part of the forthcoming ANA convention auction sale in San Francisco.