Abe Kosoff: Dean of Numismatics

"Money Talks" in the first issue of Kosoff's Coin Bulletin concluded with a note concerning his long-term business associate:

"Finally-I saved for last-a few simple and sincere words about a very good friend-Abner Kreisberg. For 10 years my partner in Numismatic Gallery, for 20 years my friend. Now our joint interest in the Gallery continues in a limited capacity-our friendship continues now-I hope forever-unlimited."

Just as the Numismatic Gallery Monthly had served as a record of the goings-on at the Numismatic Gallery and the personal activities of Abe Kosoff and Abner Kreisberg from the 1940s through the end of the partnership, the new Kosoff's Coin Bulletin told the world what Abe was doing.

The second issue of Kosoff's Coin Bulletin, October, 1954, noted:

"Between 3,000 and 3,500 copies of each issue of the Bulletin are mailed to a group of collectors. Most of the issues go to regulars. The balance is sent to those responding to our advertisements, to new ANA members, to collectors whose names are submitted by other collectors, etc.

'This level-3,000 to 3,500-has proved to be the point at which I can operate profitably. A smaller issue would miss some good collectors a larger one would cost more than I could gain. Each name on our regular list represents an annual expense of $6-see how important it is that each name be a 'live wire.'

"When an order is received, the customer's file card is noted for activity. Periodically this activity is checked, and inactive accounts are advised that we must make room for potentially active ones. It is as simple as that-but I thought I'd explain.

"Be an A.K. (Active Kollector) with A.K. (A. Kosoff)!"

Among the items offered for sale were an Uncirculated 1867 with rays Shield nickel at $30, a Proof 1878 Shield nickel (very scarce-special from the William H. Woodin estate-lists at $35) for $33.75, an 1885 Proof Liberty head nickel for $32.50, and numerous later Proof Liberty nickels from $625 upward.

An 1850 Very Fine gold dollar was priced at $9, while a Very Fine 1857-D a coin of the same denomination, from the Farouk Collection, cost $105, the Farouk 1858-D in Extremely Fine grade was offered at the same price, and Proof examples of 1861 and 1884 gold dollars were offered at $60 and $32.50 respectively.

Among quarter dollars the following were offered: 1805 Fine $15, 1845 Uncirculated $8, 1851 Uncirculated $15, 1864 Uncirculated $9.50, 1868 Proof $12.50, 1895 Uncirculated $7, 1920 Uncirculated $8.50, 1925 Uncirculated $6, and 1935 Uncirculated $4.50.

Commemorative half dollars were moving L in price. In October 1954 the following prices we posted: 1892 Columbian $2.50, 1918 Lincoln Illinois $8.50, 1920 Maine $9.50, 1921 Missouri $55, 1925-S California $8.50, 1925 Vancouver $37.50, 1928 Hawaiian $97.50, 1935 Connecticut $21, 1935 Hudson $60, 1936 Albany $15, 1936 Bridgeport $5.50, 1936 Cleveland $3.75, 1936 Delaware $9, 1936 Long Island $4, 1936 Wisconsin $9.25, 1936 York $7, and 1946 Iowa $8.50.

It was noted: "We need several specimens of the 1839-O half dollar in any condition." Undoubted these were for P.B. Trotter, Jr., the Memphis banker who contacted all leading coin dealers during that era and who set about amassing a small hoard of this interesting New Orleans issue.

In "Money Talks" Abe Kosoff told of his bus itinerary. In his Chrysler he traveled around West, making stops at Carmel, Oakland, and San Francisco. In the latter city he visited sever, friends and dealers and showed his son Steve around Fisherman's Wharf. Then it was on to Lake Tahoe on the California-Nevada border, across Nevada, then a stop at Salt Lake City to visit wit old-time dealer Norman Shultz. "In Denver we leave the Chrysler for United Airlines DC-7, and find that many have already arrived in Cleveland where the ANA convention committee has thought of almost everything.

"Best ever-this term is always used, but it applicable this time-that's for sure!"

After the ANA convention the itinerary continued to New York City, then a return via Omaha and a visit with the Judd and Bebee families, the a visit to Colorado Springs and a stay at the Broadmoor Hotel, where time was taken to work on Kosoff's Coin Bulletin at poolside.

The November 1954 issue of Kosoff's Coin Bulletin was devoted to a mail bid sale of various United States and world issues plus a modest offering of fixed price items. A gem set of Buffalo nickels lacking just four varieties was offered for $895, an 1899-S Uncirculated half dollar cost $32.50, and an Uncirculated 1873-CC trade doll" was offered for $60, among others.

First page of "Kosoff's Coin Bulletin," successor to the "Numismatic Gallery Monthly," issue of September 1954.