Numismatics Archives List

Born in Philadelphia. Brother of Samuel Hudson Chapman. Married Helen Collins. They had one son and three daughters.

Worked for John Haseltine at age 16. Discovered the Starred Reverse Cent (Sheldon 48) about 1879 while preparing the Bispham sale. Employed William H. Sheldon to attribute large cents. Chapman was a member of the ANA, ANS and several local clubs. After he and his brother separated, he conducted 51 auction sales from 1906 to 1932. He conducted the ANA convention sales in 1908, 1919, 1924 and 1925. He had an extensive personal collection of colonial paper money. In 1970 he was elected to the ANA Numismatic Hall of Fame.

After the death of Chapman, the retail store continued to be operated by his wife Helen. The business was managed by Ella B. Wright who had been an employee for 30 years. She continued the business until 1948. The Chapman library was transferred to the Free Library of Philadelphia. [Pete Smith, American Numismatic Biographies]