Col. E. H. R. Green Papers Posted on Newman Portal

Eric P. Newman and Burdette G. Johnson’s acquisition of coins from the estate of Col. E. H. R. Green is a well-known story in American numismatics, one that greatly contributed to the formation of one of the greatest American collections. The lion’s share of the best federal coins in the Newman collection originated with Green, and were prominently featured in the Newman II sale in November 2013, conducted in New York by Heritage Auctions. Held by Newman since the 1940s, the Green estate coins attracted substantial attention, in particular the magnificently toned U.S. silver coinage. In total, the Newman II sale realized $23.4 million. Newman’s involvement with the Green collection began on August 12, 1939, when currency dealer D.C. Wismer wrote to Newman “I am sending my list of my original collection of Missouri notes sold to the late Col. E. H. R. Green.” In offset type, suggesting it was added as an afterthought, Wismer writes “I do not wish to have this reported of broadcast.” Newman did not broadcast it, but three days penned a letter to the administrators of the Green estate inquiring as to the possibility of purchasing the Missouri currency from the estate. From there, the rest is history, as Newman and Burdette Johnson had their pick of the Green collection and purchased substantial portions over the next several years. Detailed in this archive are Newman’s extensive correspondence and purchase records from the estate.Link to D.C. Wismer correspondence on Newman Portal: https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/archivedetail/514234Link to Col. E. H. R. Green estate papers on Newman Portal: https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/archivedetail/525101