Leaders in numismatics are essential for helping others to grow within the coin collecting hobby. Whether that leadership is provided through teaching, mentoring, writing or leading conventions and shows, these activities help foster learning for all numismatists. This year, our biggest numismatic leaders and influencers were recognized during the annual World’s Fair of Money® in Philadelphia for their accomplishments.
Without strong adult leaders and mentors, young people will not be able to grow in and learn to enjoy the wonderful hobby of coin collecting. The ANA’s Lawrence J. Gentile Sr. Memorial Award for Outstanding Adult Advisor is presented to an individual who has devoted their efforts to recruiting beginning young numismatists, and aiding the development of intermediate to advanced YNs.
This year’s recipient is Dr. Scott T. Rottinghaus of New London, Connecticut. At the age of 14, he received a scholarship to the ANA Summer Seminar in Colorado Springs, and since then has attended numerous sessions as a chaperone and instructor.
Rottinghaus belongs to a variety of numismatic organizations, including the American Numismatic Society, Royal Numismatic Society, Central States Numismatic Society and Pawcatuck Valley Coin Club in Connecticut. He has served the American Numismatic Association in a number of areas, among them as a district delegate and a member of the YN Committee, YN Advisory Council and ANA Board of Governors. In addition to mentoring young collectors, Rottinghaus has given presentations, authored articles, and mounted exhibits. He has received a host of ANA awards, among them Young Numismatist of the Year (1988), Glenn Smedley Memorial Award (2009) and Medal of Merit (2017).
Rottinghaus specializes in Roman Republic issues and Massachusetts silver coins. The father of five currently is executive director of Alexion Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and clinical assistant professor of medicine at Yale School of Medicine.
Each year since 1971, the American Numismatic Association has recognized the best journals and newsletters produced by ANA-member organizations. Entries in this year’s Outstanding Club Publications competition were judged in four categories: regional, local, specialty and electronic.
Regional Clubs:
Third—FUN Topics, Florida Numismatic Association (Joshua McMorrow-Hernandez, editor)
Second—TNA News, Texas Numismatic Association (Ron Kersey, editor)
First—The California Numismatist, Numismatic Association of Southern California and California State Numismatic Association (Greg Burns, editor)
Local Clubs:
Third—Hemet Numismatists, Hemet Coin Club (Jim Phillips, editor)
Second—Pocket Change, Albuquerque Coin Club (Phil Vitale, editor)
First—The Cincinnati Numismatist, Cincinnati Numismatic Association (David G. Heinrich, editor)
Specialty Clubs:
Third—BoTales, The Original Hobo Nickel Society (Ralph Winter, editor)
Second—The Asylum, Numismatic Bibliomania Society (Maria Fanning, editor)
First—International Bank Note Society Journal, International Bank Note Society (Alexander Kort, editor)
Electronic Newsletters:
Third—BECC News, Boeing Employees’ Coin Club (Truus Lagerman, editor)
Second—Madison County Coin Club Newsletter, Madison County Coin Club (Harold Fears, editor)
First—PANeNEWS, Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists (Patrick McBride, editor)
The spirit of the late Glenn Smedley lives on in this year’s recipients of the ANA’s annual Glenn Smedley Memorial Award. Five members who embody an exceptionally positive attitude, possess strong communication skills, promote goodwill and cooperation, and demonstrate dependability were honored during the Member and Awards Celebration on August 16 at the Philadelphia World’s Fair of Money®.
- Roger Urce of St. James, New York, has promoted numismatics for more than 30 years through his support of several organizations. He was editor of MPCGram in 2008-16, during which time he produced more than 700 issues of the newsletter for collectors of military-related coins, bank notes, medals, books and exonumia. Since 2011 he has had the dual roles of general secretary and western hemisphere regional secretary for the International Bank Note Society (IBNS). He is a frequent presenter at IBNS conventions.
- Gerald Tebben hails from Columbus, Ohio, and has made numerous contributions to the hobby as a writer and speaker. As a presenter, he explores the human-interest angle and brings numismatics to life for listeners. As a professional newsman, he has written scores of articles, columns, blog posts and booklets about collecting. He serves as editor of a local hobby newsletter, as well as the award-winning Centinel for Central States Numismatic Society.
- Steven J. D’Ippolito of Peyton, Colorado, distinguished himself as a numismatic exhibitor in 1998-2007 and continues to serve the hobby organizations to which he belongs in many capacities as an officer and volunteer. As a competitive exhibitor, D’Ippolito won the Howland Wood Memorial Award for Best-of-Show Exhibit for three consecutive years. He donated a substantial sum to endow the best-of-show exhibit award for the ANA National Money Show®.
- Patrick A. Heller has owned Liberty Coin Service in Lansing, Michigan, since 1995. He has supported the hobby through speaking, writing, radio programs and sponsorships and has served on numismatic committees and as an ANA exhibit judge. His articles have appeared in a variety of numismatic publications. Heller spearheaded the effort to gain Michigan’s coin and bullion sales-tax exemptions and notifies professional numismatists in Michigan about counterfeits and relevant legal and regulatory matters.
- Pat McBride is well known for his dedication to the Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists (PAN). He has been involved with the state organization since 1984 and has brought it into the 21st century through his work on the association’s dynamic website and award-winning online PANeNEWS newsletter, which won first place this year in the ANA’s Outstanding Club Publications competition (electronic category). McBride also coordinates many aspects of PAN’s two annual coin shows. His influence is evident throughout the bourse floor thanks to his graphic-design skills, open lecture-area concept, John Burns reference library and his humorous and self-deprecating “Rare Coin Basics” lectures for hobby newcomers.
The American Numismatic Association is a congressionally chartered, nonprofit educational organization dedicated to encouraging the study and collection of coins and related items. The ANA helps its 25,000 members and the public discover and explore the world of money through its vast array of educational and outreach programs as well as its museum, library, publications, and conventions. For more information, call 719-632-2646 or visit www.money.org.
