In Memoriam: Eric P. Newman, 1911-2017

NGC notes with sadness the passing of renowned numismatist Eric P. Newman on Nov. 15, 2017. He was 106.

Eric P. Newman

Hailed as the pre-eminent American numismatist of the past century, Newman published numerous books and monographs on subjects ranging from Early American coins and notes to coin scales and counterfeit detectors. His expertise, enthusiasm and generosity forever improved the world of coin collecting.

He also amassed an extraordinary collection of coins and paper money. Selections from this collection were sold in a series of auctions—the last one held just two weeks before his death—with the proceeds benefiting the Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society, a nonprofit in Missouri.

Newman was born on May 25, 1911, so long ago that the Lincoln penny was only in its third year, and the Buffalo Nickel, Mercury Dime and Standing Liberty Quarter had not even seen their first mintage. He cited an 1859 Indian Head penny given to him by his grandfather as the spark in his childhood that began his lifelong love of numismatics.

“Eric P. Newman was a giant in numismatics, and his collection ranks among the most significant ever assembled,” said NGC Chairman Mark Salzberg. “We are all deeply saddened by the loss of this remarkable numismatist.”

Images of more than 7,500 coins from Newman's collection can be viewed in the NGC Newman Gallery.