Kenneth E. Bressett has been honored with a Doctor of Numismatics degree from the American Numismatic Association at its annual Summer Seminar banquet. Mr. Bressett, the author of A Guide Book of United States Coins -- better known as the "Red Book," was honored for a life-long pursuit of numismatic excellence that began when he listened to Little Orphan Annie on the radio and responded to an Ovaltine advertisement offering a prize of foreign coins The official citation tells the story:

That gift forever changed this New Hampshire boy’s life, leaving numismatists everywhere to ponder: Would Kenneth E. Bressett have become a spy if his proof-of-purchase coupon was for a secret decoder ring? Fortunately he received a half-dozen foreign coins and the rest, as they say, is history. Since discovering a love for coins in 1937, Ken has gone from child prodigy to numismatic icon. He is the editor of A Guide Book of United States Coins – better known as the “Red Book” – and largely responsible for what we now know as the “Official ANA Grading Standards for United States Coins. So profound was Ken’s impact on the hobby that in 1966, President Lyndon Johnson named him to the United States Assay Commission. Ken has a well-earned plaque in the ANA Hall of Fame and, along with his wife, Bert, was a recipient of the hobby’s most coveted honor, the Farran Zerbe Award. He also served as ANA President from 1995 to 1997.

An ANA members since 1947, Ken began his work with Whitman Publishing in 1959. With more than 22 million copies sold, the "Red Book" is one of the best-selling nonfiction titles in the history of American publishing, and Ken has been its main editor for 35 years. Other recent Bressett works include Money of the Bible and Milestone Coins: A Pageant of the World's Most Significant and Popular Money, both winners of national literary awards. The ANA's honorary doctorate is just the latest in a long list of honors and awards Ken has earned in his many years in the hobby. Mr. Bressett began working at the ANA in 1982, heading the ANA Certification Service. In 1985, he became Director of Education. As the citation describes:

He has been an instructor, mentor and inspirational force since the day he arrived. But to really understand the impact Ken has had on the hobby, one need only sit in a Summer Seminar class when he pays a visit as a roving instructor, where entire rooms fall silent as he imparts his considerable knowledge; he then freely autographs Red Books and makes every student feel special and important. Ken Bressett, we honor your dedication and commitment to the ANA Summer Seminar. You have made momentous contributions in helping the ANA fulfill its Congressional mandate to advance the knowledge of numismatics, and you have done so with the utmost devotion and professionalism – and always with the highest of ideals. It is with great pleasure, therefore, that the American Numismatic Association hereby confers upon you this day, July 9, 2009, the Degree of Doctor of Numismatics, honoris causa, with all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities which here and everywhere pertain to this degree.