HERBERT LEWIS KREINDLER (1935-2026)

Herbert Lewis Kreindler, an internationally renowned numismatist, passed away on April 25, 2026 in Burlington, Vermont, after a short illness. He was 91 years old.

Born in Manhattan in 1935, but raised in Liberty, in the Catskill region of New York State, Herb graduated from Carnegie Tech in 1957 with a degree in Engineering. Employed by the Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation and recently married he moved to Suffolk County on Long Island, New York where he continued to live with his wife and family until shortly before his death. However, in the early 1970s, he boldly changed careers having decided to become a full-time professional numismatist specializing in ancient coins. From 1974-1983 he joined in partnership with David Hendin as proprietors of Amphora Coins after which he established a highly successful solo practice that remained active until his retirement some two years ago.

Though expert in the full range of classical ancient coinage, and in later years even extended his interest to include medieval bracteate coinage as well as Jewish medals, Herb was particularly interested in coins of the Holy Land. In 1976 he collaborated with David Hendin providing the valuations for Guide to Ancient Jewish Coins, which in subsequent editions became Guide to Biblical Coins. "Herb's knowledge of the value of ancient coins in general, and especially of Biblical coins was unsurpassed," Hendin said.

Committed to research throughout his career, his opinion was widely respected throughout the world both in the commercial realm and as an occasional collaborator of such distinguished numismatists as the late Yaakov Meshorer of the Israel Museum in Jerusalem and Leo Mildenberg of Bank Leu in Zurich.

 

Herb was a proud and confident individual, scrupulously honest, and trustworthy in his commercial dealings. He was also widely known as "the numismatic auctioneer" in the United States having been invited to call hundreds of auctions by several premier American auction houses. His exceptional numismatic library was auctioned by Kolbe and Fanning in 2014.

Kreindler was a fellow of the American Numismatic Society and a member of the International Association of Professional Numismatists, the New York Numismatic Club, and the American Israel Numismatic Society.

As a private individual Herb enjoyed cars, hunting, fine wines, and world travel, having together with his wife visited some 56 countries. He remained fully active particularly as a committed golfer until very recently.

Herbert Kreindler is survived by his wife of 69 years, the former Barbara Baker, two sons and a daughter, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Besides family and his many friends, Herb will be greatly missed by appreciative numismatic colleagues and fellow-collectors world-wide.

To read his online obituary, see:
Herbert Lewis Kreindler (https://guttermansinc.com/funeral/herbert-lewis-kreindler/)

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