The $\pi$NN coupling from high precision np charge exchange data

Differential np cross sections for unpolarized neutrons of 162 MeV have been measured to high precision with particular attention to the absolute normalization. These data can be extrapolated precisely and model-independently to the pion pole and give a \pi N\! N coupling constant g^2=14.62 \pm 0.06 \pm 0.29 or f^2=0.0808 \pm 0.0003 \pm 0.0017. This is higher than recently suggested values.