Q. David Bowers
"I showed the dealer a coin I had recently purchased. My surprise was complete! He said it was absolutely genuine and that the person who sold to me was thoroughly reliable. As I left the shop was again astonished-none of the previous customers were outside waiting to sell me bargains, get my name, or tell me what a rascal the dealer was.
"So dazed was I at all these unexpected happenings, the absence of scandal-mongery, that I forgot to get the name of the proprietor or note the street he was on. In vain I have searched for the place, nor have I met any of the customers. Alas, I am reed to put down the whole episode as a dream." The April 1949 issue of the Numismatic Gallery Monthly offered pattern coins, gold issues, paper money, and other delicacies. Most double eagles ere priced in the $60 to $70 range, with the editorial notation that American double eagles are selling for less in the United States than the me coins were bringing on the market overseas, here they sold for up to $250.
Abe Kosoff noted that for two and one half dollars the trend in coin prices had been downward, but now it seemed to be going up, with dealers pressing great interest in buying coins.
A reader admired the Numismatic Gallery Manly and suggested that Abe Kosoff publish his method for grading coins-"everyone would appreciate it and it would be something for collectors to talk about." The dealer responded: "Classing coins is not the mechanical process which some dealers and collectors seem to think. There a certain intangible based on experience, which can't be put down in black and white. Our advice -deal with a fellow who treats you fairly." Competitive spirits reared up with this paragraph: "WHO'S WRONG? An eastern auction catalogue lists the 1909-O quarter, with fuss id trimmings, and estimates it at $200. A recent MONTHLY offered one at $72.50-and you can III have one at $72.50. Nuff said."
Gladys Kreisberg and Molly Kosoff joined the American Numismatic Association, traditionally the signal that much unsolicited mail would be received. Abe Kosoff published a notice that these people were the wives of the owners of the Numismatic Gallery, so dealers were advised to save their postage.
"Large cent collectors are in for a real treat," another comment noted. 'Dr. William H. Sheldon, famed authority on the subject, has completed his Early American Cents. It will be published by Harper's soon. Anything we can say about Dr. Sheldon or the book will pale into insignificance after the book is released. We know all will welcome it gratefully. Let us be the first to say, 'Congratulations, Dr. Sheldon, thanks.' "
The May 1949 issue of the Numismatic Gallery Monthly was primarily devoted to a mail bid sale, a practice which characterized many issues of the publication during this era. The mail bid sale was billed as Auction Sale 51 and 52.
Collectors were invited to consign to these monthly events:
"Our monthly auctions give prompt and efficient service. If you would like to have your duplicates or your collection sold at fair prices, this is a good medium to employ.
"Our thousands of collectors send bids in regularly-they need your coins-and they'll bid on the coins you consign. We can work your material into an early issue of the Monthly-and you get paid 30 days after the sale. No ifs, ands, or buts-you get paid promptly. Write for details."
The Numismatic Gallery announced it would not be open on Saturday from late May through October 1949 but that Monday night openings would continue. Little business was transacted on Monday evening, but it furnished an opportunity for conviviality and fraternization.
Auction Sale No. 53, a mail bid sale, dominated most of the Numismatic Gallery Monthly for June 1949, however there were some fixed-price offerings. Among the latter was a set of large cents from 1793 to 1857 in rather low grade for $62.50 the lot. "The 1793 is a Liberty Cap, the 1799 has been through the mill, there is a nice 1800 over 179, a Good 1802 and 1803, the 1804 is no good. In all there are 65 coins. If you want large cents at a low price, here is the opportunity."
A 1937 British coronation set of King George VI, the bronze and silver issues in the original box, was offered at $19.50,and a Pope Pius XII Vatican set of nine pieces, dates ranging from 1940 through 1946, in the original box, Uncirculated, could be had for $23.50. Two sets of Proof nickel three-cent pieces from 1865 through 1889, including the 1887/6 overdate, were offered for $260 each.
What apparently was a bad buy was described as follows: "1877 half eagle. Here is one we would like to sell. It's a beautiful Brilliant Proof but it .as been cleaned to improve(?) its looks. We took in at $350, it catalogues at $300; we know we're leading in the wrong direction to pay the rent, but we would like to sell it at $265."
The "Money Talks" column noted that Abner Kreisberg was working with the director of "Hail the Champ," a popular television show, to present items from the Numismatic Gallery. Attendance was dwindling on Monday night, so it was announced that beginning on June 1st the Numismatic Gallery would be open only until 5 pm. on weekdays, including Monday.
The July 1949 issue of the Numismatic Gallery Monthly observed the 1848-1948 anniversary of ne discovery of gold at Sutter's Mill in California and the 1849-1949 centennial of the Gold Rush 'y offering goldine tokens of two varieties for $1 ach-illustrated and featured on the front page. In addition, an extensive offering of priced coins vas delineated.
Uncirculated commemoratives offered for sale included an 1893 Isabella quarter at $7.50, a 1915 Panama-Pacific Exposition half dollar for $18.50, 1918 Lincoln-Illinois at $3, a 1920 Maine at 4.50, a 1927 Vermont at $6, a 1928 Hawaiian at 31, a set of three 1936 Cincinnati halves at $26, three 1936 Rhode Island varieties for $6.90 for the group, a 1936 York County for $2.25, and a 1949 Booker T. Washington set of three for $8.50. Among commemorative gold coins, 1903 dollars were offered for $12 each, a 1915-5 Panama Pacific quarter eagle could be purchased for 52.50, and a 1917 McKinley gold dollar was .resented for a special price of $14.
Among Indian cents, an 1859 Uncirculated cost 4.50, while a Very Fine example of the same issue vas posted at 75c. A Proof 1861 cost 25c, an Uncirculated 1864 with L on the ribbon could be ordered for $24, and Uncirculated examples from he 1880s onward cost in the range of 10c to $2.50.
The opportunity was taken to reprint some comments from customers. Samples:
"I recently purchased a coin in your monthly auction. It was listed as Very Fine, and my friends greed it is a beauty. Another coin from a different auction was listed as About Uncirculated and isn't as nice as your Very Fine-and it cost twice as much. How come? -M.Y.
"My interest in coins is new in the past year--I have purchased coins at a number of auctions and I want to tell you-your classifications are conservative. I have been very pleased with he few coins I have purchased from you. -Allen P. Gough.