Jeffrey Zarit, Howard Berlin and Aaron Oppenheim alerted me to the passing of dealer Bill Rosenblum on March 10, one month before his 81st birthday. So sorry to hear this news. -Editor

Bill's friends at the Denver Area World Numismatists (DAWN) are preparing another obituary focusing on his numismatic career. He was a regular reader and contributor to The E-Sylum; some earlier articles are linked below. -Editor

I was traveling in Berlin, Germany when I received word that Bill Rosenblum has passed away. I first met Bill, his brother Andy, and his parents in 1979 at their table at the America Israel Numismatic Association (AINA) coin convention in New York City. My interest was first in Palestine Mandate coins and Bill got me interested in collecting the banknotes as well.

At one time Bill and NASCA were the prominent sources of Palestine Mandate material, especially the rare high-end items. At one time or another, Bill handled all the rarities, some multiple times such as the 1929 double proof set with case. I dare say that his knowledge was without equal in this small area of the numismatic world. He was always ready to share his knowledge and provided me with photos of specimens that he handled for use in my book, "The Coins and Banknotes of Palestine Under the British Mandate, 1927-1947." When it came time to dispose of my collection, which was one of the most complete in existence, I had Bill auction the coins which included all 59 issued coins in highly uncirculated state, 1 of 4 known 1947 1-mil coins, three varieties of the Holyland Token, and the rare 1927 double proof set with case. Bill helped to acquire many specimens for me.

When I would travel to ANA conventions and those in New York, I would always stop by his table to say hello to Bill and his wife Rita and chat when there were no customers to attend to. He taught me a lot and I will sadly miss him.

A Tribute to Bill Rosenblum: A Scholar, a Dealer, and a Friend

I first encountered the Rosenblum name in the late 1960s, when Bill was establishing himself alongside his father, Carl, and his brother, Andy. Even in those early days, it was evident that Bill brought something special to the world of numismatics. He didn't just trade in history; he lived it, researched it, and—perhaps most importantly—shared it.

Through the Judaic Numismatic Newsletter (JNN), Bill became a vital educator for the community. He possessed a rare philosophy: he believed that sharing his personal data and decades of experience was to everyone's benefit. While some might have guarded their "trade secrets," Bill published them with honesty, his opinion, and a sense of humor that made his writing a joy to read. He understood that a more informed collector was a more passionate one, and through the JNN, he helped build the very market he loved.

At coin shows, Bill and his late wife, Rita, were an inseparable team—a constant, welcoming presence amid the rows of tables. Other dealers always knew that if they came across a rare Judaic, Holocaust, Israel, or Palestine coin, Bill was the first and last stop. Because of the deep trust he had built with his clientele, he was consistently able to make the strongest offers, ensuring that the most significant pieces of history found their way into the right hands.

His auctions were a reflection of his integrity and his eye for the unique. They were a "must" for the avid collector, often featuring items—from ancients to modern, world coins, medals and notes—that simply couldn't be found anywhere else. In an industry of rising fees, Bill's "no buyer's premium" policy was a testament to his old-school approach: fair, honest, and focused on the transaction between people rather than the margins.

In a recent conversation, we spent time looking back at the 1970s and the legendary NASCA auctions. We talked about the characters and the camaraderie that made those years so much fun. Bill was, quite simply, the "go-to" expert in his field, but he was also a man who was easygoing and could chat about any topic under the sun.

I truly miss Bill and Rita. The hobby feels a bit smaller without them, but the wealth of information Bill left behind ensures that his influence on Judaic numismatics will be felt for generations to come.