HARVEY STACK'S NUMISMATIC FAMILY, PART 3

I had the opportunity once or twice to meet Col. E.H.R. Green. He would visit Stack's, usually on Saturday. A huge limousine would arrive at the door, and a huge man (at least he seemed huge to me) got out with the help of his chauffeur, walked into the shop using a beautiful walking cane with a gold and silver handle, and sat down in the shop. In anticipation of his visit each weekend, Morton and Joe would set up a few trays of gold coins from the United States and around the world. These would be items they had acquired during the week, or that had been left with them on consignment by collectors of jewelers. After the usual greetings, Col. Green would ask, " So brothers, what do you have that is new?" Morton and Joe would carry out the trays they had prepared for his visit, and set them before him. Col. Green would examine each coin, hold some in his hands to get a better view, ask about the stories of the pieces, the importance of a date or mint, and then the prices for certain rare or scarce coins.

Then, typically, Col. Green would ask: "How much for all the coins on these trays?" Morton and Joe, knowing that this question was coming, had already calculated the asking price and would quote a number. Col Green would look back at the trays and shout, "SOLD!" He would then shake hands with the Stack's brothers. One time when I was there, he even offered his hand to me. He shook my hand, patted me on the back and said "Someday you may be selling what I am buying, so keep learning about the coins. If I ever decide to sell them, I will remember you, young man." He would then ask his driver to come in, take all the trays and load them into the car. Col. Green would leave, usually with a smile on his face. Morton and Joe knew that the following Monday, the driver would return, bringing with him the trays he had carried out the Saturday before (now empty), as well as a check for the full amount of the sale.

The 1930s were years of growth at Stack's, especially once the firm became dedicated to numismatics. Morton and Joe met many collectors and dealers and the store became not only a place to buy and sell (if people had the funds), but also a place to visit and talk about coins of interest.

One of the great friendships that grew from these visits was with Harold Proskey, son of the late David Proskey a famous numismatist and hobbyist of the early 20th century (who passed away in 1928, the year I was born). Harold (Hal to his friends) Proskey was the executor of the estate of his late father. Since David Proskey had stamps, rare stones, tokens, medals, and coins from all over the world, minerals and other small collectibles, Hal decided to sell off parts of the holdings but retained the numismatic portion. He liked the coins the most and felt they had precious metal value.

Late in 1933 Hal first visited Stack's. Morton and Joe remembered his father and the other collectors of his generation and reminiscing led to fast friendship. Hal started to visit Stack's once or twice a week, bringing with him a selection of coins -- some were just change, others were Mint State or Proof, and some were entire rolls.

Stack's bought them all, and the firm was able to develop a wonderful expanded inventory. With these additions of ancient, foreign and United States coins in all metals, the inventory grew and grew. This wide selection appealed to those who were once again building their collections as the Depression lessened, and they flocked to Stack's to see what was new. So Stack's attracted many from all around New York and became a very popular place to visit. Collectors would gather in the shop, talk about coins, and buy and sell items. Even before 1935 the shop on Sixth Avenue became "The Numismatic Club House"!

To read the complete article, see: Growing up in a Numismatic Family Part 3 (http://www.stacksbowers.com/News/Pages/Blogs.aspx?ArticleID=2714)

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