David U. Proskey was a dealer who was born in Wappingers Falls, New York on December 12, 1853. He was married to Madgie Van Houton in 1884 and the couple and three sons and a daughter. He began his career as a coin dealer in 1873, conducting five auction sales from 1876 to 1887. He cataloged coins for J.W. Scott and Company from 1877 to 1886, and later joined with Harlan P. Smith to form New York Coin and Stamp Company. Smith was the financier and Proskey the cataloger. The firm continued in business after Smith died. Proskey himself died on August 16, 1928 and his son, David V. Proskey continued the business.