Abe Kosoff: Dean of Numismatics

Advertisements and other notices often referred to the Grand and Glorious Order of A.K.s-the "Active Kollectors" -together with enticements to jump aboard and become a part of the Numismatic Gallery mailing list.

For several years the Numismatic Gallery had provided trophies and ribbons to winners of American Numismatic Association exhibitions. Finally, the ANA recognized its own deficiency. In 1952 Abe Kosoff wrote: "The Numismatic Gallery congratulates the ANA-after 60 years of failure to recognize the efforts of its members who put time and toil in the planning and bringing their exhibits to conventions, finally the ANA has set up a series of awards.

"We'll step out of the ANA award picture with the satisfaction of knowing that it was the Gallery that initiated the award ribbons. We take this occasion to thank the ANA general secretary for his many public expressions of appreciation."

In the meantime, Abe Kosoff and Abner Kreisberg continued their extensive travel schedule across the United States to visit conventions, pick up collections, and to transact other business. In an era in which coins had relatively low market values and in which robberies and burglaries were few and far between, it was customary for dealers to carry coins with them. Indeed, mention of such weighty baggage was often made in print. At conventions there were no security rooms or other arrangements. Often, coins would simply be left in hotel room while those attending the show had dinner or participated in other functions. By the -end of the decade of the 1950s, by which time the coin hobby had become "big business," the days of casual handling of coins were past, and emphasis was on tight security.

Abe Kosoff (left), Hans Schulman (center), and others gather on May 13, 1952 to celebrate Hans' birthday.

A mail bid sale with a closing date of November 9, 1952 featured United States coins from the Lee G, Agnew Collection and large cents from the -Homer K. Downing Collection. The 40-page catalogue offered 1,179 lots.

Homer K. Downing was one of the great luminaries in the field of large cent collecting. Abe Kosoff noted: "It is a privilege to be able to Catalogue some of the cents consigned by our good friend, the late Homer K. Downing. Homer was fine collector, contributing greatly to this cataloguer's knowledge of the 'big pennies.' "

Later, Abe Kosoff was to describe the success if this sale: "Thanks a million for the splendid response to our Agnew auction sale. We sure appreciate it. Lot No.1, the 1856 Flying Eagle cent, went for $212.50. The 1877 Shield nickel at $93.50, . 1926-S nickel at $88. A dime of 1897-O brought 41, a 1916-D dime $121, and $111 for a 1927-D. Beautiful quarters brought record prices, with a 901-S going for $500. The 1896-S set a new record t $250, and bids over $75 were received for the 904-O. A new record of $127.50 for the 1909-O quarter, and ditto the $200 received on the 1913-S.

"1916 Liberty standing quarter brought $106, he 1919-S $130, 1921 $86, and the 1927-S a new high at $130. The half dollars were just as high with $205 for 1917-S on obverse, $107.50 for the 921."

The January-February 1953 issue of the Numismatic Gallery Monthly was devoted to U.S. pattern coins. Page after page of rarities appeared. included were a number of seldom-seen 1792 issues, all attributed to Adams'-Woodin numbers. Examples: AW-2 $400, AW-4 $240, AW-8 $750, AW-9 $1,000, and AW-11 $1,000. It is presumed that the purchaser of certain of these and other patterns was Maj. Lenox R. Lohr, for a few years later when the Lohr Collection was marketed, these were included.

Catalogue No. 77 featured the Talton Craig Collection of United States coins offered for mail bids, with a closing date of February 10, 1953. The offering emphasized Uncirculated and Proof pieces from the mid-19th century onward.

The Numismatic Gallery Monthly for March-April 1953 took a few moments to celebrate an anniversary: "The Monthly ends its fifth year with this issue, for it was in May 1948 that Volume 1 No.1 was released. Then featured were United States coins, with the stella offered at $525 (now $650), a Panama-Pacific set at $1,275 (now $1,850). In June, $180 was asked for the 1856 Flying Eagle cent (now $250), and in July a fine selection of large cents was listed as well as an assortment of ancient coins.

"In August we announced the closing of our New York City gallery with Kreisberg joining Kosoff in Beverly Hills. Issued regularly each month for several years, the Monthly has become a misnomer, with some months skipped for lack of time. Pressures from auction sales, mail orders, conventions, etc., have prevented regular monthly mailings, much to our regret. These omissions have served, however, to let us know that many collectors enjoy getting the Monthly and would like us to resume a regular schedule. We'll sure try-and thanks to all who have written.