(L2023)

Born in Mount Healthy (Cincinnati), Ohio. Served in U. S. Army 1951 to 1953. Received B.S. from University of Cincinnati in 1955. Received masters degree from the Manhattan School of Music in 1957. Attended Columbia University 1962 to 1963. Never married. He worked as a professional musician and played trombone with Stan Kenton, Woody Herman and Buddy Rich.

Hessler served as curator of the Chase Manhattan Money Museum 1967 to 1973. In 1986 he became the first full time curator for the Mercantile Money Museum in St. Louis. He left in 1988. Since 1988 he has been a free lance writer.

In 1991 he received the Howland Wood Memorial Award for Best-in-Show exhibit. He was named a Numismatic News Numismatic Ambassador in 1993. He received the ANA Glenn Smedley Memorial Award (1993), the Medal of Merit (1995) and Presidential Award (1998). In 2008 he received the ANA Farran Zerbe Award. In 2007 he received the NLG Clemy Award.

He served as editor of Paper Money, the journal of the SPMC from 1984 to 1998. In 2014 he was inducted into the SPMC Hall of Fame.

Author of The Comprehensive Catalog of U. S. Paper Money issued in 1974 at $20. Author of U. S. Essay, Proof and Specimen Notes issued in 1979 at $19.50. Author of Illustrated History of U. S. Loans 1775- 1898 (1988). Author of The Engraver’s Line (1993). Author of the International Engraver's Line (2005). In 2009 he published his memoir, Hey, Mr. Horn Blower. He contributes the "Notes on Paper" column to The Numismatist. He was inducted into the IBNS Hall of Fame in 2011.

bio: ConAut 73, 76; WWA 04; WWEast 77; E-Sylum 7/23/23 interviewed 5/11/91