Born in New York City. Received B.A. from New York University in 1938. Served in the Army in WW II. Married to Anne with children.

Picker was a collector and after 1955 a dealer of Colonial and Early American Coins. He was one of the founders of the Long Island Coin Club. He was the author of articles in The Colonial Newsletter. He wrote "Variations of the Die Varieties of Massachusetts Oak and Pine Tree Coinage" for Studies on Money in Early America.

He died in a hospital in New York City. One collection was sold at auction by Stack's October 24, 1984. A 1652 New England Shilling realized $15,400. A unique 1737 Higley Threepence realized $12,650. A unique 1786 New Jersey copper Maris 80-ff realized $13,750.

The Picker collection of brockages was sold at auction by Stack's. His reference collection of colonial copies was sold at auction by Coin Galleries November 7, 1990.

obit: CW 2/16/1983 (photo); NN 3/5/83