Former ANA Librarian and Curator William Dewey turns 100 December 5
William S. Dewey, the senior life member of the American Numismatic Association, celebrates his 100th birthday December 5 in Woodcliff Lake, N.J. Dewey, who joined the ANA in 1933 and became its 52nd life member in 1939, served as the ANA librarian and curator in the 1930s, when he lived in Mt. Vernon, N.Y. He is a direct descendent of Adm. George Dewey and a retired engineer.
Dewey has been a dedicated numismatist since 1932 when, at age 27, he began weeding Lincoln cents out of his daily pocket change. He collected medals and tokens of Adm. Dewey, as well as Ocean County, N.J., related tokens, medals and paper money. He wrote and published “Early Manchester and William Torrey,” a book that explores the sawmills, railroads, steamboats and people of early Manchester, N.J.
Dewey also co-founded the Westchester County (N.Y.) Coin Club in1934, and is also a life member of the Ocean County (N.J.) Coin Club. He received the ANA 50-year award in 1983 and its 60-year award in 1993. He’s eligible for the 75-year award in 2008.