Abner Kreisberg

LAWMAN

I had the good fortune some years ago to know Abner Kreisberg during the last several years of his long life and distinguished numismatic career. For those of you who do not go back that far, he and Abe Kosoff handled many of the monster classic coins of all time and were instrumental in coin dealing first on the East Coast, later on the West Coast, for decades. Does anybody have any good Abner Kreisberg stories to share? He was one of the very nicest people you would want to meet. Abner forgot more about numismatics that I will ever learn (and I've collected for over 40 years).

jom

I read the book on Abe Kosoff that Bowers wrote and Kriesberg was in the story a lot...obviously. That was one of my favorite Bowers books...great stuff!

Wasn't there a story about either Kosoff or Kriesberg (don't remember which) where they were late for a plane flight that later ended up crashing? Somewhere in Northern California if memory serves. I think it was those guys....not sure.

jom

MadMonk

I've never heard of him. I have 25 yrs in the hobby, have read a lot, but don't remember ever coming across his name. Kosoff I've heard of. You know, sometimes, the very nicest, and very influential people, in any area of life, can be lost to the masses because of thier humility. I wonder if that applies to him?

coingame2000

My associate in Numismatic Enterprises is Mike Kliman who was Abe Kosoff's son-in-law. Mike worked with Abe and Abner along with Abe's son Steve -- who passed away in his late twenties. Mike has shared many really cool stories with me from the good old day and he still has a few really neat coins that he bought way back when -- such as a superb Gem 1796 quarter that he paid $3,500 for, against Abe's advice (who thought it was way too much money). If you get to the Long Beach or Santa Clara coin shows stop by our table -- Mike would be more than happy to share stories about his time with Abe and Abner.

Best Regards,

Mike De Falco

Elcontador

Abner Kreisberg was the most well known coin dealer in Beverly Hills for many years. I found out after he died that Dave, my dentist, was his nephew. Dave told me a few stories about how Mr. Kreisberg sold high end coins to people like the Shah or Iran, etc. Interesting stuff.

homerunhall

When I was a young man...in the 1970s, I used to go into Abner Kreisberg and Jerry Cohen's coin store in Beverly Hills. Even though I was a bothersome young guy with not a lot of money, they always were very patient and kind to me. They really treated me with respect, answered all my questions, and did business with me when they could. I remember when they were selling the 1856 Flying Eagles from the Beck hoard (circa 1975)...they cut me a pretty good "on consignment" deal. Abner was one of the true gentlemen of the rare coin business. And he certainly handled as many great coins as anyone.

On the other hand...in 1973, I was in a very well known establishment in New York. I was booted from the premises. My sin was that I asked the price of a few coins in their showcase. They booted me because they thought i was a dealer trying to pick them off...when I offered to buy a few coins at their marked prices, they asked me to leave their store.

David Hall

MrEureka

I remember when they were selling the 1856 Flying Eagles from the Beck hoard (circa 1975)

I stopped by their store in 75. I was 15 at the time. The thing I remember most was that the safe behind the counter was open and there was a DOUBLE ROW BOX in there marked "1856 Flying Eagle Cents". (The Beck hoard contained 531 of them.) Pretty cool, I thought!