James L. Halperin
Encyclopedia
James L. Halperin is an American author and businessman. In 1985 Halperin authored a text on grading coins, How to Grade U.S. Coins, upon which the grading standards of the two leading third-party grading services PCGS and NGC
were ultimately based. He is also author of two popular futurism fiction books, The Truth Machine
(1996) and The First Immortal
(1997), both best-sellers that were each cited in PC Magazine's 20th Anniversary Survey in 2001 as one of the 17 top science/technology fiction books of the previous 20 years. The Truth Machine is currently under development as a motion picture at Lions Gate.
Halperin graduated from Middlesex School
in Concord, Massachusetts
in 1970, then attended Harvard University
between 1970-1971 where he majored in psychology and later philosophy. After three semesters, Halperin took a permanent leave of absence to pursue a career in numismatics. In 1976 he established a rare coin fund for investors, New England Rare Coin Fund (NERCF). Upon liquidation at auction in April 1980, each investor in NERCF received 460% of their initial investment after commissions and fees.
In 1982, he sold his coin company to a former employee, entered into a 50/50 business partnership with renowned numismatist-turned-businessman Steve Ivy and settled in Dallas, Texas
. Halperin and Ivy still co-direct Heritage Auction Galleries
, of Dallas, Texas, which advertises itself as the world's largest rare coin
company and third largest auction
house (2009 sales of about $650 million).
A profile on Halperin appeared in Forbes
in 2004, to which Halperin posted an annotated (clarified and/or corrected in footnotes) version on Heritage's website.
Halperin also endows The James & Gayle Halperin Foundation, which supports health and education-related charities.
He has been married to his wife Gayle since 1984 and they have two sons, David (born 1991) and Michael (born 1995).
NGC
NGC is an acronym that may refer to:* New General Catalogue of Nebulae and Clusters of Stars, a catalogue of deep sky objects in astronomy* NGC Corporation, which became Dynegy Inc* NGC Magazine, an unofficial Nintendo magazine in the United Kingdom...
were ultimately based. He is also author of two popular futurism fiction books, The Truth Machine
The Truth Machine
The Truth Machine is a science fiction novel by James L. Halperin about a genius who invents an infallible lie detector. Soon, every citizen must pass a thorough test under a Truth Machine to get a job or receive any sort of license...
(1996) and The First Immortal
The First Immortal
The First Immortal is a novel by James L. Halperin, about life of a man born in 1925 who dies in 1988 and is re-animated after a cryonics procedure. The novel spans 200 years. Published by Del Rey books, copyright 1998. Futuristic account of the first immortal human. Explores the future prospects...
(1997), both best-sellers that were each cited in PC Magazine's 20th Anniversary Survey in 2001 as one of the 17 top science/technology fiction books of the previous 20 years. The Truth Machine is currently under development as a motion picture at Lions Gate.
Halperin graduated from Middlesex School
Middlesex School
Middlesex School is an independent secondary school for grades 9 - 12 located in Concord, Massachusetts. It was founded in 1901 by a Roxbury Latin School alumnus, Frederick Winsor, who headed the school until 1937. Winsor set up a National Scholarship Program for the school, the first of its kind...
in Concord, Massachusetts
Concord, Massachusetts
Concord is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 17,668. Although a small town, Concord is noted for its leading roles in American history and literature.-History:...
in 1970, then attended Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
between 1970-1971 where he majored in psychology and later philosophy. After three semesters, Halperin took a permanent leave of absence to pursue a career in numismatics. In 1976 he established a rare coin fund for investors, New England Rare Coin Fund (NERCF). Upon liquidation at auction in April 1980, each investor in NERCF received 460% of their initial investment after commissions and fees.
In 1982, he sold his coin company to a former employee, entered into a 50/50 business partnership with renowned numismatist-turned-businessman Steve Ivy and settled in Dallas, Texas
Dallas, Texas
Dallas is the third-largest city in Texas and the ninth-largest in the United States. The Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex is the largest metropolitan area in the South and fourth-largest metropolitan area in the United States...
. Halperin and Ivy still co-direct Heritage Auction Galleries
Heritage Auction Galleries
Heritage Auction Galleries is the world's largest collectibles auctioneer and the third largest auction house, with over $700 million in annual sales and 600,000 online bidder-members...
, of Dallas, Texas, which advertises itself as the world's largest rare coin
Coin
A coin is a piece of hard material that is standardized in weight, is produced in large quantities in order to facilitate trade, and primarily can be used as a legal tender token for commerce in the designated country, region, or territory....
company and third largest auction
Auction
An auction is a process of buying and selling goods or services by offering them up for bid, taking bids, and then selling the item to the highest bidder...
house (2009 sales of about $650 million).
A profile on Halperin appeared in Forbes
Forbes
Forbes is an American publishing and media company. Its flagship publication, the Forbes magazine, is published biweekly. Its primary competitors in the national business magazine category are Fortune, which is also published biweekly, and Business Week...
in 2004, to which Halperin posted an annotated (clarified and/or corrected in footnotes) version on Heritage's website.
Halperin also endows The James & Gayle Halperin Foundation, which supports health and education-related charities.
He has been married to his wife Gayle since 1984 and they have two sons, David (born 1991) and Michael (born 1995).
External links
- James L. Halperin autobiography
- The Truth Machine: free download
- The First Immortal: free download
- How to Grade U.S. Coins
- 2004 Forbes Top Drawer, Anotated
- The Collector's Handbook