NNP

Hewitt, Lee

Born in Keokuk, Iowa; brother of Clifford and Robert Hewitt. His wife Dolores died August 15, 1966. Married to Doris Eileen and later Bernice. His wife Virginia died June 26, 1979. He had a brief career in show business and traveled with a circus band. He served in the military during World War II.

Founder and publisher of Numismatic Scrapbook Magazine January 1935 to 1968. The publication was sold to Amos Press in 1968 and discontinued in 1976. He contributed the "As I See It" column to Coin World. Contributor to Handbook of United States Coins. He was appointed temporary editor of The Numismatist from September 1, 1942, through the end of the year.

Author with Ted Weissbuch of United States Numismatic Dictionary in 1967. Author with Willian Donlon of Hewitt-Donlon Catalog of United States Small Size Paper Money. Author of Nevada Gaming Tokens in 1968. Hewitt Bros of Chicago published a number of numismatic books by various authors.

Served as president of the Chicago Coin Club in 1971. He received the ANA Medal of Merit in 1950 and the Farran Zerbe Award in 1962. He was named a Numismatic News Numismatic Ambassador in 1976. In 1978 he was elected to the ANA Numismatic Hall of Fame. Hewitt consigned to four auctions conducted by Katen in 1975 to 1977 and two sales by Bowers and Merena in 1984 and 1986.

Numismatic Scrapbook Magazine warned of possible errors under a heading, "No Santa Claus." Hewitt became known for the quote, "there is no Santa Claus in numismatics." He died in Boynton Beach, Florida. In 2019 he was inducted into the CCC Hall of Fame.

profile: CW 1/3/68

obit:CW 4/29/1987 (photo); NN 4/28/87 & 5/5/87 (photo); NUM 100 Jun 1987 p 1321-1322; ANAHist 1540