Henry August Sternberg (1875-1955), was born on September 27, 1875, in Illinois of German immigrant parents from Mecklenburg, Charles and FrederickaSchroeder Sternberg.

He was a resident of Dundee, Kane County, Illinois. Sternberg had a general store carrying a wide variety of merchandise from clothing, shoes, boots, hats,to hardware items like window shades, and linoleum. He retired in 1923 from his firm : H. A. Sternberg & Co., 123 West Main Street, Dundee, Illinois.

Henry, his wife and two children were all involved in coin collecting and in ANA as well as local coin club events. Henry is known for having one of thebest early U.S. gold coin collections as well as early American copper cents with famous red uncirculated 1793 specimens.

In May 26, 1897, he married Lora Bumstead, daughter of James H. Bumstead and Annie Masters Bumstead. They had a son Earle (1898-1991).

On August 11, 1902, he married Alice Wilcox Hill (1876-1964), at Dundee, Kane, Illinois. They had a daughter Ellen Belle (1913-1988).

In the 1910 U. S. Census he is listed as a retail dry goods merchant living at 25 Oregon Avenue, Dundee, Kane, Illinois. Sternberg began collecting prizechange over the counter and studied coins received in his store. Over time he would assemble several fine collections that have attained fame with manyspecimens today some of the rarest and finest known.

When a passenger elevator was installed in his store in February 1914 notice ran in The McHenry Plaindealer, Thursday, February 26, 1914, page 1.

He began buying coins from Henry Chapman in March, 1917.

He applied for membership in the ANA in January 1918. He became ANA Member No. 1960.

The 1920 U. S. Census lists him as the owner of a department store and his son Erle working for him living at 232 Third Street, Dundee, Kane, Illinois.

In 1920 he and his wife attended the ANA Convention in Chicago.

His wife also joined the Chicago Coin Club with him.

In January 1925 he and his wife and daughter Ellen Belle announced the forming of the Dundee Numismatic Club, with three charter members. Erle joinedlater.

Henry Sternberg was a member of the Board of Education not long after his retirement and stayed on for 13 years.

The 1930 U.S. Census lists him as retired living at 143 4th Street, West Dundee, Kane, Illinois.

In 1930 he bought some of the French collection.

The 1940 U.S. Census lists him as retired living at 212 North 4th Street, Dundee, Kane, Illinois.

He consigned coins to the J. C. Morganthau Sale #305 held April 7-8, 1933. The sale included coins from the Beckwith and French collections. And Sternberghad some of the rarest and best known early Cents. His reputation preceded him : "Sternberg bought 9 1793's, the 1797's and 1798's, 1 1799,10 1800's, 7 1801's, as well as some of the dates of 1821 to 1829."

Morganthau's Preface to the sale read :

On August 11, 1952, Henry and Alice celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary.

He died at his home on November 4, 1955.

His numismatic library and the remainder of his coins were sold posthumously at auction by Bolender on March 2, 1956 including as is often cited 133 largecents, 40 of which were 1794's.

The catalogue for his library :

To read the complete article, see:
STERNBERG, HENRY AUGUST(https://sites.google.com/a/numismaticmall.com/www/numismaticmall-com/sternberg-henry-august)

The entire inventory of the Lupia Numismatic Library is for sale. Individual items will be available before the remaining archives are broken up intoparcels sold at philatelic auctions in the U. S. and Hong Kong. Check NumismaticMall.com frequently as dozens ofnew items with estimates will be posted daily until everything is sold.

All inquiries will be given prompt and courteous attention. Write to: john@numismaticmall.com .