Richard S. Yeoman (1904–1988) was a pioneering American numismatist and writer best known as the creator of A Guide Book of United States Coins, the “Red Book”, first published in 1946. A visionary in the field, Yeoman also introduced Whitman coin folders and albums, helping generations of collectors organize and enjoy their coins. His work transformed U.S. coin collecting into a more accessible and popular hobby, earning him a lasting legacy as one of the most influential figures in numismatics.
Jeff Garrett is president of Mid-American Rare Coin Galleries, Inc., and serves as co-editor of A Guide Book of United States Coins (the Red Book) alongside John Feigenbaum. He is a former president of both the American Numismatic Association and the Professional Numismatists Guild, and a board member of the National Museum of American History. A prolific and respected author, Garrett has written or co-written numerous numismatic references, including Encyclopedia of U.S. Gold Coins: 1795–1933 and 100 Greatest United States Coins. His many honors include the 2003 PNG Abe Kosoff Founders Award, the 2015 PNG Lifetime Achievement Award, and the 2024 NLG Clemy Award, recognizing his lifelong dedication to numismatics and excellence in writing.
Robert D. Leonard Jr. has collected unusual and primitive forms of money for more than 50 years. A Fellow of both the American Numismatic Society and the Royal Numismatic Society, he has been active in the American Numismatic Association since 1961. Leonard is the author of numerous studies on distinctive forms of currency and contributed a survey of the field to Coin World. His work has earned multiple honors, including three ANA Heath Literary Awards and three Numismatic Literary Guild awards. He also served as lead author for the second edition of California Pioneer Fractional Gold.
Eric P. Newman (1911–2017) was one of the most influential numismatists in American history, renowned for his groundbreaking research, scholarship, and legendary collections. A lifelong collector and researcher, Newman made significant contributions to the study of early American coins, colonial currency, and paper money. He authored numerous important works, including The Early Paper Money of America, and was widely respected for his meticulous approach to numismatic research. Newman was also a generous philanthropist, donating his vast collections and funding educational initiatives through the Eric P. Newman Numismatic Education Society. His legacy continues to shape modern numismatics through his research, publications, and enduring commitment to advancing the hobby.
Harvey Richer is professor emeritus of astronomy and physics at the University of British Columbia. He has authored more than 175 peer-reviewed papers, including work published in Nature and Science, and is a leading user of the Hubble Space Telescope, with research continuing on the James Webb Space Telescope. A recipient of the 2014 Carlyle S. Beals Award, he is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada. A lifelong coin collector since childhood, Harvey continues to share his passion for numismatics with his family.
Scott Schechter has been involved in numismatics since childhood, inspired by his father’s collecting. As a teenager, he attended conventions nationwide and developed a lasting interest in U.S. commemorative coins. While in high school, he interned at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, working with the National Numismatic Collection, and later cataloged ancient coins at Harvard’s Semitic Museum. After graduating from Harvard in 2000, he became a U.S. coin dealer before joining Numismatic Guaranty Corporation in 2005. He now serves as Chief Numismatist and Grading Finalizer and has lectured and written extensively on coin grading and certification.
Ron Guth is a recognized authority on United States and German coins and a licensed Certified Public Accountant with nearly 40 years of professional experience as a collector, dealer, researcher, and writer. His award-winning books and articles have earned honors from the American Numismatic Association, Numismatic Literary Guild, and Professional Numismatists Guild, including ANA Numismatist of the Year and the ANA President’s Award. He founded CoinFacts in 1999 (now PCGS CoinFacts) and leads the PCGS CoinFacts division at Collectors Universe. He lives in San Diego with his wife, Maggie.
