NNP

In this oral history interview, legendary numismatist Ken Bressett reflects on a lifetime in coin collecting that began in the 1930s with Indian cents, B. Max Mehl catalogs, and Ovaltine promotional coins. He recounts his relationships with many of the most important figures in numismatic history, including R.S. Yeoman, Eric P. Newman, Q. David Bowers, Walter Breen, William Sheldon, John Ford, and B. Max Mehl. Bressett explains how his corrections to Yeoman’s Red Book eventually led to a professional partnership, discusses his passion for ancient Greek silver coins, and shares remarkable anecdotes about the development of the hobby, including his role in popularizing the term “doubled die” for the famous 1955 Lincoln cent variety. The interview also highlights Bressett’s contributions as an author, editor, ANA Hall of Fame member, Assay Commissioner, educator, photographer, and researcher whose influence shaped generations of collectors.

The conversation illuminates the culture of twentieth-century numismatics. Bressett describes diving with Mel Fisher at the Atocha treasure site, dining with Eric Newman using silverware made by Paul Revere and Ephraim Brasher, and watching Walter Breen perform on the piano at the 1948 ANA convention. He also shares lesser-known stories about Penn Jillette’s numismatic family background, John Ford’s abrasive personality and counterfeit operations, and his own mistaken obituary published by the Royal Numismatic Society after he allowed his membership to lapse. Bressett emphasizes lifelong curiosity, scholarship, ethical conduct, and friendship within the hobby, presenting a portrait not only of his own career but also of the personalities and institutions that defined modern American numismatics.

Link to Greg Bennick’s Interview of Ken Bressett: https://youtu.be/emQlt4zLTxU
Link to Greg Bennick’s numismatic interviews on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDk2lseZ-iyrsliZhvhqz1ilIqoUeeEcw

The tenth Newman Numismatic Portal Symposium was held April 23-25 in Schaumburg, IL, in conjunction with the Central States Numismatic Society convention. Video from this event, covering 20 presentations, is now available on YouTube. YouTube views are accreting even as I perform the video uploads, and among the more popular presentations is John Feigenbaum and Patrick Perez speaking on “Rare Coin Pricing in a Volatile Precious Metals Market." A big thanks to all the speakers who participated in this year’s Symposium, to Central States Numismatic Society for ever-present onsite support, and to Lianna Spurrier of Numismatic Marketing for producing this event.

Link to 2026 NNP Symposium video: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDk2lseZ-iyodoUj7VRU5iSYB348Gm3KD