Eric Newman Dies at 106
If you want to read about the life of a simply amazing collector, try to dig up an obituary online of Eric P. Newman, who died on Wednesday at 106. You can go to the NY Times to find one, or just google him. Newman began collecting coins in 1918 as a boy, and since he was active until his death, he was a collector for a mere 99 years!. He wrote about 100 books and articles on coins and paper money, and was still actively attending coin conventions when he was 103.
When Eric was 10, a dealer refused to sell him a coin until he read a book about it, and then recited its history to him. We don't see that kind of dedication too much anymore. Today collecting is too much about who has the biggest checkbook. With Newman, it was all about education first.
He started to sell off his collection in 2013, and so far it has realized $72 million, and I believe still counting. Truly a remarkable man, not only as a passionate collector, but for his incredible longevity.
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