NNP

Mark Auerbach recounts a lifelong journey in numismatics that began in childhood through stamp and coin collecting, nurtured by family circumstances and the excitement of finding treasures in circulation. His early curiosity evolved into professional involvement beginning in the early 1970s, when he joined Paramount International Coin Corp. There he absorbed knowledge from major figures such as David Akers, Ron Howard, and Mark Thornton, and learned both the technical and human sides of the rare-coin market. Auerbach emphasizes the camaraderie, mentorship, and good-natured humor of the period, along with growing expertise in marketing, cataloging, and handling exceptional coins—from pattern sets to legendary U.S. gold issues. His career also connected him to giants of numismatic research, including Walter Breen, with whom he shared close scholarly ties and personal friendship.

Over the decades, Auerbach became known not only as a dealer but as a researcher. He uncovered the first known photograph of Dr. Edward Maris, investigated colonial coin pedigrees, contributed to scholarship on the Clapp collections, and documented the important Byron Reed holdings in Omaha. His work placed him in contact with institutions such as the ANS, NGC, and major auction houses, and with influential collectors like John Ford and Kevin Lipton. Throughout the interview, he stresses that numismatics is fundamentally about knowledge—its pursuit, preservation, and sharing. He views collectors as temporary custodians whose responsibility is to deepen understanding of the material they handle. Reflecting on a lifetime of learning, mentorship, and friendships, Auerbach frames his participation in this interview as both an honor and a way to give back to the hobby that shaped his life.

Link to Mark Auerbach interview video: https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/652886

Link to Mark Auerbach interview transcript: https://nnp.wustl.edu/library/book/652885