Q. David Bowers (born 1938 as Quentin David Bowers) is among the most published and well-known numismatic author in the modern era. His maternal grandfather, Chester L. Garratt, was a coin collector and numismatic researcher and gave him his first coin, a 1893 Columbian half dollar. He began his career as a professional coin dealer at 15 years of age in 1953.  In 1958, he partnered with James F. Ruddy to form the highly successful Empire Coin Co.

in Johnson City, New York.  He was named Numismatist of the Year in 1995, was inducted into the Numismatic Hall of Fame (at the ANA Headquarter in Colorado Springs), and has received more Book of the Year Awards and Best Columnist honors given by the Numismatic Literary Guild than any other writer.  Some of his most notable works include:

• United States Half Cents, 1793-1857. Johnson City, NY: Creative Printing, Inc., 1962.
• Put Another Nickel In: A History of Coin-Operated Pianos and Orchestrions. Vestal, NY: Vestal, 1966.
• The History of the Unites States Coinage as Illustrated by the Garrett Collection. Los Angeles: Bowers & Ruddy Galleries, 1979.
• The Numismatist's Bedside Companion, Volume 1. Wolfeboro, NH: Bowers & Merena Galleries, 1988.
• How to Be a Successful Coin Dealer. Wolfeboro, NH: Bowers & Merena Galleries, 1988.
• Louis E. Eliasberg, Sr., King of Coins. Wolfeboro, NH: Bowers and Merena Galleries, 1996.
• The Treasure Ship S. S. Brother Jonathan: Her Life and Loss, 1850-1865. Wolfeboro, NH: Bowers and Merena Galleries, 1999.

• The Official Red Book of Morgan Silver Dollars, 1878 to 1921: America’s Most Popular Classic Coins. Atlanta: Whitman Publishing, 2004.
• 100 Greatest American Currency Notes: The Stories Behind the Most Fascinating Colonial, Confederate, Federal, Obsolete, and Private American Notes. (with David M. Sundman) Atlanta: Whitman Publishing, 2006.
• The Official American Numismatic Association Grading Standards of United States Coins, Whitman Publishing, 2013
• The Expert's Guide to Collecting & Investing in Rare Coins, Whitman Publishing, 2006.
• A Guide Book of Lincoln Cents (Official Red Books), with  Lawrence Stack (Editor) and Charles D. Daughtrey, Whitman Publishing, 2008.