Letters in Appreciation
Edward Milas is President of Rare Coin Company of America, Inc. (RARCOA) and
an authority on U.S. gold coins.
June 23, 1998
Mr. Leslie Elam
The American Numismatic Society
Broadway. at 1 55th Street
New York, NY 10032
Dear Mr. Elam:
I first met Harry Bass in the spring of 1969. At that time I was in business as Gold
Stella Rare Coins, located in an office on Wabash Avenue in Chicago. I offered Mr.
Bass then an 1838 Classic Head $2.50 gold coin in Gem condition. He apparently was
not impressed with either the coin or my office, because he declined to buy it. Approximately
3 years later, while attending the N.A.S.C. Convention, Mr. Bass walked up to my
table, saw that I was doing business as Rarcoa and again looked at the 1838 $2.50
gold. After purchasing it from me. he remarked that he should have bought it the
first time, since it was half as much before! Since then I have been fortunate to
be able to supply Mr. Bass with many nice pieces for his collection.
He was a thoughtful and generous person. In the early 1980's I was attending an auction
at Stack's in New York City and was unable to obtain a room for the night. I ran
into Mr. Bass at the Salisbury Hotel where he was staying and he offered to put me
up in the extra room of his suite which I accepted. While we were lodging there he
showed me a library of photos from his collection of early U.S. $5 and $10 gold,
which was truly amazing in scope with multiple die varieties of many scarce issues.
It was certainly interesting and a privilege to have known film.
Sincerely,
Edward Milas
RARCOA, Inc.