Bressett attended Dresser Business School in 1947[1] and later studied graphic arts at the University of Wisconsin.

In 1976, he wrote a variety catalog of Vermont coppers, where he introduced the Bressett numbering system for the series.

[16] At the National Money Show in Colorado Springs that same month, his collection of ancient and British coins was auctioned off.

[18] In March 2024, Bressett launched a new monthly column for the American Numismatic Association's website, called "Money Musings".

[19][20] Bressett worked as a consultant for the F. Newell Childs collection that later sold at auction for over $8 million.

[21] In 1966, he was appointed to the U.S. Assay Commission by President Lyndon B. Johnson,[22] and in 1996 was made a member of the Citizens Commemorative Coin Advisory Committee.

In 1986, he dove with Mel Fisher in Florida for the treasure of the sunken Nuestra Señora de Atocha.

[2] From 1983 to 1988 he also served as Director of Coin Authentication and Educational Programs for the American Numismatic Association.

To celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Red Book, Whitman Publishing created a silver dollar-sized medal featuring Bressett and R.S.

Bressett received a unique .900 fine gold example at the 2006 World’s Fair of Money in Denver.