Abe Kosoff: Dean of Numismatics

The Numismatic Gallery Monthly appeared in 1948. The first issue, Vol. 1, No. 1, was datelined May of that year. During the next several years, publication made a more or less regular appearance. Although there were exceptions, the typical issue contained eight pages, had a smattering of numismatic news and goings on with the Numismatic Gallery, plus a fairly extensive listing of coins for sale at fixed prices. In later years, Kosoff's Coin Bulletin was its successor.

The initial May 1948 issue noted that orders could be directed to either the New York office It 42 East 50th Street or to the California facility In 8943 Wilshire Boulevard, Beverly Hills. The terms of sale noted that any returns must be made within three days of receipt of the coin, that pieces were offered subject to prior sale and price change without notice, and that alternate selections were advised.

The first coin listed was an 1815 quarter in Fine grade priced at $5, followed by such offerings as an 1835 Uncirculated coin of the same denomination at $3.25, a Proof 1877 at $5, several Proof Barber quarters from $5 to $7.50 each, an Uncirculated 1917 Standing Liberty quarter, Type I, at $2.75, and a Proof 1936 Washington quarter for $12.

Later on in the listing, gold coins included an Uncirculated 1878 $3 at $25 and a Proof 1879 $4 stella for $525. A set of Panama-Pacific commemorative coins, including both varieties of the $50 piece, Uncirculated, could be had for $1,275. The special of the month, however, was the 1835 half cent, Uncirculated, at $2. The Numismatic gallery had a large hoard of these, and specimens remained in stock for many years thereafter, increasing in price year by year. As was true of the inventory of every numismatic professional, not o sell something meant an even greater profit, for hose $2 half cents of 1835 were worth over a hundred times the price a few decades later.

Commemoratives occupied a full page in the Numismatic Gallery Monthly's first issue. Offered in Uncirculated grade were the following items, among others: 1892 Columbian $1.25, 1893 Isabella quarter $9, 1915 Panama-Pacific half dollar '18.50, 1918 Lincoln-Illinois $3.25, 1928 Hawaiian ,31,1934 Maryland $2.50, 1935 Hudson $15, 1935 old Spanish Trail $13, 1936 Albany $3, 1936 bridgeport $3, 1936 Long Island $1.85, set of three 936 Rhode Island halves $7.25, 1937 Antietam 9, and 1938 New Rochelle $4.50. A complete set of varieties, 117 pieces, could be purchased for 690, while a type set of 46 different designs cost but $250. Toward the end of the issue were still more gold pieces-perhaps pieces obtained after the first part of the catalogue was written-for there were additional $3 pieces such as an AU 1854 at $21 and a Proof 1888 at $50, a scarce Very Fine 1870-S gold dollar at $125, and an MCMVII High Relief Saint-Gaudens Uncirculated double eagle at $120, in the company of several more common double eagles generally priced from $58 to $65.

The "Money Talks" section noted that Abe Kosoff had just seen the new Franklin half dollar, which made its debut in that year. Aubrey Bebee telephoned Abe Kosoff to advise that he would be the sole distributor of the 1948 Booker T. Washington commemorative half dollar, and A.K. offered his congratulations. Other news tidbits noted that Dick Yeoman, author of the Guide Book of United States Coins, was on the American Numismatic Association Board of Governors and was president of the Central States Numismatic Society-"A good choice"; "Our country boy from Texas, genial B. Max, stopped in at the New York Gallery enroute to South America. A little bird tells us B. Max also bought some coins!"

Silver dollars commenced the listings in Vol. 1 No.2 of the Numismatic Gallery Monthly, the June 1948 issue. Starting off with a 1794, Very Fine, priced at $575, the offering was followed by an Extremely Fine 1797 with 6 stars facing at $100 and a Proof 1839 Gobrecht with reeded edge at $250. An 1851 Brilliant Proof, described as "a rare date," could be had for $200, while an 1852 in the same condition, described as "easily as rare as the 1851 if not more so," cost a like amount. For $100 an 1854 Proof dollar, "another tough one;" could' be ordered, or $175 would bring an 1858 Proof or $75 would bring an 1895 Proof-the latter described as: "One of the most sought-after dates, the 1895 seems to command a higher price at every appearance. We have had bids at our auctions up to $85."

A set of Standing Liberty half dollars from 1916 to 1947, nearly all of which were in Uncirculated grade, was priced at $700, while an Uncirculated set of 1932-1947 Washington quarters cost $85 and an Uncirculated set of Standing Liberty quarters 1916-1930 (except for the 1924-S, which had some rubbing on the high spots) cost all of $550. A set of Uncirculated nickels, with a few dates "not quite up to par," was presented at $600, while a set of Uncirculated and Proof Flying Eagle and Indian cents of 1856 to 1909 could be obtained for $500. A group of nine commemorative gold dollars and two quarter eagles, all Uncirculated, cost $260.