Eric P. Newman

Eric P. Newman was a renowned numismatist and collector of coins, paper money, and other numismatic items, with a career spanning over eight decades. He was a prominent figure in the American Numismatic Society and the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation, and his contributions to the field of numismatics are still widely recognized today, particularly in the context of American Numismatic Association and Professional Coin Grading Service. Newman's work and legacy have been compared to those of other notable numismatists, such as Q. David Bowers and David T. Alexander, and his collections have been featured in various museums, including the Smithsonian Institution and the British Museum. His expertise in numismatics was also influenced by his interactions with other notable figures, including Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry S. Truman.

● Early Life and Education

Eric P. Newman was born on May 25, 1911, in St. Louis, Missouri, to a family of merchants and collectors. He developed an interest in numismatics at a young age, inspired by his father's collection of coins and paper money, which included rare items from the Federal Reserve System and the United States Mint. Newman attended Washington University in St. Louis, where he studied law and economics, and later earned his Juris Doctor degree from the Washington University School of Law. During his time at university, he was also involved in various extracurricular activities, including the Phi Beta Kappa society and the Order of the Coif, and was influenced by the works of notable economists, such as Milton Friedman and John Maynard Keynes.

● Career

Newman began his career as an attorney in St. Louis, Missouri, specializing in tax law and estate planning, and was a member of the American Bar Association and the Missouri Bar. He also served in the United States Army during World War II, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel and earning several military decorations, including the Bronze Star Medal and the Army Commendation Medal. After the war, Newman returned to his law practice and continued to collect and study numismatic items, becoming a prominent figure in the numismatic community and a member of the American Numismatic Association and the Numismatic Literary Guild. His interactions with other notable numismatists, including Stanley K. Yoder and John J. Ford Jr., also influenced his career and contributions to the field.

● Numismatic Contributions

Newman's contributions to the field of numismatics are numerous and significant, and have been recognized by various numismatic organizations, including the American Numismatic Society and the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation. He was a prolific writer and researcher, publishing numerous articles and books on numismatic topics, including The Fantastic 1804 Dollar and The Early Paper Money of America, which are considered classics in the field and have been cited by other notable numismatists, such as Q. David Bowers and David T. Alexander. Newman's collections of coins and paper money are also highly regarded, and have been featured in various museums and exhibitions, including the Smithsonian Institution and the British Museum, and have been compared to those of other notable collectors, such as John J. Pittman and Louis E. Eliasberg.

● Awards and Recognition

Newman received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the field of numismatics, including the American Numismatic Society's Gold Medal and the Numismatic Literary Guild's Clemy Award, and was also recognized by the United States Mint and the Federal Reserve System for his expertise in numismatics. He was also a fellow of the American Numismatic Society and a member of the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation's board of directors, and was influenced by the works of other notable numismatists, including Q. David Bowers and David T. Alexander. Newman's legacy continues to be celebrated by the numismatic community, and his contributions to the field remain an important part of numismatic history, particularly in the context of the American Numismatic Association and the Professional Coin Grading Service.

● Personal Life and Legacy

Newman was married to his wife, Evelyn Newman, for over 70 years, and had two children, Andy Newman and Pam Newman, who are also involved in the numismatic community, and were influenced by their father's interactions with other notable numismatists, including Stanley K. Yoder and John J. Ford Jr.. He was also a philanthropist and supported various charitable organizations, including the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army, and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa society and the Order of the Coif. Newman passed away on November 15, 2017, at the age of 106, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most important and influential numismatists of the 20th century, and his contributions to the field continue to be recognized by the American Numismatic Society, the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation, and other numismatic organizations.