Herb Kreindler (1935-2026)
There are people who are true institutions. The American coin dealer Herb Kreindler was one of them. If he’d wanted to, he could have run a huge auction house. But he didn’t want to. He preferred to be independent.
A childhood in the Catskills
Herbert Kreindler was born in Manhattan in 1935. He grew up in Liberty, New York State. Herb didn’t talk much about himself, but when he did, and if the conversation happened to touch on his childhood, he would wax lyrical. He still took great pleasure in the fact that, as the son of the hotel manager at the legendary Grossinger’s, he grew up where others went on holiday. The atmosphere that prevailed at this kosher holiday resort in the Catskills can still be experienced today: Grossinger’s inspired the film “Dirty Dancing”.
Sport was a matter of course for the hotel manager’s son. Whether golf, tennis, dancing or speed skating: Herb Kreindler mastered it all. For him, it was not just about the joy of sport, but also about
winning. Together with his siblings, he took part several times in the “Silver Skates”, an amateur speed skating competition at Madison Square Garden, and won. At home, he loved to show off the display cabinet full of medals he had won in speed skating.
Perhaps that was the reason why age seemed to have no effect on Herb. Whilst others struggled with their weight or complained about health problems, his health seemed virtually indestructible.
In the service of the United States
In 1957, Herb Kreindler graduated with distinction from his engineering degree. So distinguished, in fact, that he secured a job with Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation. The company worked closely with the US military. Even today, this firm – which specialises in fighter aircraft – remains one of the US Armed Forces’ most important suppliers. I never heard Herb Kreindler talk about his projects – his work was probably subject to a duty of confidentiality.
Herb’s athletic appearance and his reticence about his professional past before moving into the coin trade gave rise to rumours that he had been a CIA agent. Herb merely smiled at this. He probably found this rumour useful. No one dared to seriously cross him.
A career change to numismatics
When Herb Kreindler, like many others, switched to the coin trade during the silver boom of the 1970s, he was already an experienced collector. He once said that it was the boxer Max Schmeling who had sparked his enthusiasm for numismatics. Is this story true? There are grounds for doubt. When Schmeling was preparing for his fight against Joe Louis in the Catskills in 1936, Herb Kreindler was still in nappies. A mix-up with Rocky Marciano is possible. He trained at Grossinger’s in 1954. However, we know of no evidence that he collected coins.
You didn’t need a boxer to come into contact with numismatics at Grossinger’s. The post-war elite frequented the place, and a large proportion of them collected coins.
Herb’s numismatic passion lay with antiquity and Jewish coins. He teamed up with David Hendin, the well-known author. We know that Hendin wrote the “Guide to Ancient Jewish Coins”, which is still reprinted today as the “Guide to Biblical Coins”. Very few people know that Herb Kreindler provided the prices for it. Even today, David raves about how well Herb knew auction results by heart. He says: “Herb’s knowledge of the value of ancient coins in general, and especially of Biblical coins, was unsurpassed.” And that was priceless in an era when there was neither the internet nor CoinArchives. Knowing the prices better than anyone else gave Herb Kreindler an immense knowledge advantage and led to many good deals.
David Hendin and Herb Kreindler ran Amphora Coins together between 1974 and 1983, until Herb Kreindler decided to step back from the demands of running a large business.
The Auctioneer’s Auctioneer
Nevertheless, for decades no one could get past Herb Kreindler – at least not if they were taking part in the auctions held during the major coin fairs in the USA. For Herb auctioned on behalf of practically every major coin dealer. Every evening he would stand for hours behind the auctioneer’s podium, calling out one lot after another with intense concentration. With almost superhuman precision, Herb Kreindler kept track of everything. His presence and authority ensured calm in the hall – even when the event lasted well past midnight. Herb seemed to need a sleep! The next morning he was standing behind his own desk, conducting business as usual, precise and reliable as ever.
Travel, golf and fast cars
Herb Kreindler enjoyed the international aspect of the coin trade. He loved travelling with his wife Barbara. It is said that he visited around 56 countries during his lifetime.
But that was not his only passion. He enjoyed fast cars and hunting. He also had a keen appreciation for fine wines.
A lifelong passion
Coins remained an integral part of his life right to the end; he refused to give them up, even as he grew older. In his final years, his daughter accompanied him to the NYINC. Yet he was not about to let anyone take that pleasure away from him. For he felt at home amongst coin dealers and collectors.
Herbert Kreindler has now passed away at the age of 91 in Burlington, Vermont, on 25 April 2026, following a short illness. He is survived by his wife Barbara (née Baker), a daughter and two sons, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
They will miss him, as will all the numismatic friends Herb Kreindler made over the many decades of his active life.
May his memory be a blessing!
Text and images: Ursula Kampmann
