Today, October 22, 2013, George Fuld, D.Sc., was laid to his final rest. He passed on October 19. Fuld is best known for his work as a researcher and writer about American Civil War Tokens. In fact, his interests spanned the range of U.S. numismatics, including Colgate-Palmolive Coupon Checks, Washington Medals and Washington Cents, Peace Medals, Confederate Half Dollars, and bibliography. Less well known is his work as a chemist. He completed first a BS (1953) and then an ScD (1957) at MIT. He actually claimed a consultancy that won a contract with Goodyear, but, basically, over the years, he and his wife sold coins and stamps. Of course, regarding CWTs, he published several articles about the iconic DIX token including "Dix Civil War tokens of 1863," Numismatist v. 64, no. 6 (June 1951), p. 599-605; and "Supplement to Dix Civil War Tokens of 1863," Numismatist v. 64, no. 11 (Nov. 1951), p. 1175-1178. Both of those are cited as "co-authored" with Melvin Fuld. In point of fact, it was young George who brought his father, Melvin, to the hobby. George Fuld also co-authored with Russell Rulau United States trade tokens, 1866-1889 (Iola, WI : Krause Publications, 1983). In all the ANS library has 95 citations, the last of which was published only last year: "Medals honoring the captors of Major Andre" (The Numismatist v.125, no.5, May 2012 p.45-50). Everyone knows the name "Benedict Arnold." Major Andre is known only to the true aficianados of American history ... which indeed George J. Fuld was. I just received this the other day, It includes an essay, "Reminiscence" by Dr. Fuld. It is a nice little vignette.
I was not aware of his passing and am deeply saddened by the loss. His works and contributions are, and will long be appreciated by many.
I am sorry to hear of his passing. His work was highly contributory towards the hobby, particularly CWTs.
I found a bio on the ANS site associated with a "box" of materials he donated, notes, photographs, etc. Other searches turned up some journal articles when he was a new chemist. His interest was in fermentation. He was a contact for papers submitted for a conference. He is also mentioned a couple of times as an undergraduate in The Tech school newspaper of MIT. One year, he organized the Dormitory Acquaintance dance. Even the obituary from the funeral home was terse. Like so many of us, he was a very private person, known to his friends in the hobby, but not interested in publicity about himself. In the CWT book, Bowers says that he met Fuld while Fuld was "at MIT." While Fuld was somewhat older, it was only by five or six years (1932 vs. 1938). When they met, in 1953, it was like a 21-year old Fuld and a 15-year old Bowers.
