ANA Honors Distinguished Numismatists with Service Awards

Aug 26, 2017 | ANA, News

Recipients recognized at the World’s Fair of Money® Awards Banquet and Member Donor Reception

The following individuals were formally recognized at the World’s Fair of Money for their contributions to the hobby and the American Numismatic Association (ANA) on Aug. 3 during the Member Donor Reception and at the Aug. 4 Awards Banquet.

The Adna G. Wilde, Jr. Memorial Award for Excellence honors an ANA member who dedicates his or her time and resources to strengthen the hobby and further the educational mission of the ANA, and sets an example for others to follow.

• Ken Bressett, an ANA life member and New Hampshire native, was introduced to numismatics at age 8, when a neighbor presented him with a few coins to start his own collection. He often visited museums and viewed private collections, gaining an appreciation of coin design and manufacture. By the 1950s, Bressett had become a noted authority on numismatic history, colonial and state coinages, and authentication.

  “Adna Wilde has long been one of my most admired numismatic friends,” says Bressett. “Receiving this award in his memory will be cherished by me forever, and a constant reminder of his dedication to the ANA and his quest to promote friendship and knowledge by his actions and deeds. His ethics and values have set a standard that everyone should attempt to emulate.”

The Exemplary Service Award recognizes an individual or entity (club, corporation, firm or association) that has performed services on behalf of the ANA that are “above and beyond” the call.

• Patrick A. Heller, a collector since 1964 and a dealer since 1981, Heller received a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Michigan in 1974 and worked as a certified public accountant until 1981, when he became president of Liberty Coin Service in Lansing, Michigan. He assumed sole ownership of the business in 1995.

  Heller has supported the hobby through speaking, writing, radio programs and sponsorships. He has served on numismatic committees and as an exhibit judge; contributed to numismatic reference books; and encouraged his staff’s research efforts.

The Medal of Merit recognizes individuals who have dedicated numerous years of service to the Association and promotion of the hobby.

• Eric Holcomb of Bend, Oregon, has contributed his time and efforts to the numismatic community for more than 25 years. He has held various positions in numerous clubs, most notably serving as president of the Tacoma-Lakewood Coin Club (1990-93), Boeing Employees Coin Club (BECC) (1991, 1994, 1995), Pacific Northwest Numismatic Association (PNNA) (1994-98), Seattle Numismatic Society (2000-02) and the Bend Coin Club of Central Oregon (2012-present).
• Scott Rottinghaus began collecting in high school and joined the Association in 1985. The University of Cambridge graduate served three consecutive terms on the ANA Board of Governors (2009-15) and has authored more than 33 numismatic articles, including nine for The Numismatist. He also wrote a number of “Ancients” columns for the latter in 2012-14.

The Glenn Smedley Memorial Award is presented to hobbyists who have devoted their efforts to the betterment of the ANA.

• James P. Reinders of Portland, Oregon, was recognized for his significant volunteer contributions and support of the ANA and many youth programs. An ANA life member, Reinders is extremely active in numismatics on the West Coast; he is the past president of the Pacific Northwest Numismatic Association (PNNA) and currently serves as Co-chairman on the Money.org Committee.
• Frank Passic hails from Albion, Michigan, and has been a pillar of support in the numismatic community for nearly 50 years. He is the founder of the Lithuanian Numismatic Association, and the editor of the numismatic publication The Knight. Passic received the Catherine Sheehan Literary Award in 1999 for his article “The Albion Bank Scandal,” and was honored with an ANA Presidential Award in 2002.
• Daniel “Tiny” Cross of Bolivar, Missouri, embodies the spirit of numismatic volunteerism. He was a fixture at the ANA’s Summer Seminar from 2006 until his “retirement” in 2016, and was a looked-for presence at every Summer Seminar YN Auction, where he assisted in calling the sale. Cross has distinguished himself by establishing programs that attract collectors from outside the mainstream.
• Kari Brower of Brick, New Jersey, has been a dedicated and deeply involved numismatist for over 40 years. She is an active member of the Ocean Country Coin Club (OCCC), serving as the Youth Activities Program Coordinator at their yearly coin shows, monthly club meetings, and during National Coin Week. Brower truly exemplifies the spirit behind the Glenn Smedley Award, and is seen as one of the most giving hobbyists when it comes to advancing numismatics at every avenue.
• Ann Bobrofsky of Battle Creek, Michigan, has lived a life of dedicated service. She has become an indispensable figure to the Michigan State Numismatic Society (MSNS), where she served in elected offices as secretary, director, vice president and president, and in appointed offices as convention

Recognizing Membership Efforts The John and Nancy Wilson Member Booster Award recognizes an ANA member who recruited the most members for the Association.

• This year’s recipient of the John and Nancy Wilson Booster Award is Mark Lighterman, who sponsored 64 new members.

The Century Club Award honors ANA members who sponsor 100 new members cumulatively for the Association.

• The newest member of the Century Club is Scott Travers, who sponsored more than 100 new members for the Association.

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 array of instructional and outreach programs, as well as its museum, library, publications and conventions. For more information, call 719-632-2646 or visit www.money.org.

Exhibitors Honored at Denver World’s Fair of Money®

Aug 24, 2017 | ANA, News

The American Numismatic Association (ANA) presented 49 competitive exhibit awards at the 2017 World’s Fair of Money in Denver, Colo. Winners were announced at the exhibit awards presentation and reception on Aug. 4, and at the awards banquet that evening.

Thirty-nine exhibitors of all experience levels, showing 51 exhibits, competed in this year’s program. There were also three non-competitive exhibitors showing three additional exhibits.

Robert Rhue received the Howland Wood Memorial Award for Best-in-Show for his exhibit “The Colored Seal Notes of Colonial Georgia.” The Radford Stearns Memorial Award for Excellence in Exhibiting, presented to the first and second runners-up, was awarded, respectively, to Carlos Paiz for “Rarities from the Guatemala Colonial G and NG Mints 1733- 1821,” and to Michael Shutterly for “Remember the Ladies: The Empresses of Rome’s Severan Dynasty, 193-235.”

The Thos. H. Law Award for the best exhibit by a first-time exhibitor also went to Carlos Paiz for “Rarities from the Guatemala Colonial G and NG Mints 1733-1821.”

The Rodger E. Hershey Memorial People’s Choice Award, selected by convention attendees, was won by Jeff Rosinia for “Rush to the Rockies: The Golden Growth of the Denver Mint.”

Michael Shutterly also received the Women in Numismatics award for his exhibit “Remember the Ladies: The Empresses of Rome’s Severan Dynasty, 193-235.”

Michael Shutterly further received the Derek Pobjoy Award for Best Exhibit of Modern Circulating Commemorative Coins for his exhibit “Coins and Conflict.”

Carlos Paiz received the Ira & Larry Goldberg Award for the best exhibit of “Coins that Made History” for “Rarities from the Guatemala Colonial G and NG Mints 1733-1821.”

Steven J. D’Ippolito received the Joseph E. Boling Award for Judging Excellence.

2017 Class Exhibit Awards:

Class 1: United States Coins, Lelan G. Rogers Memorial. All United States coins and patterns and all coinage or trade tokens used in pre-Federal America, except gold.


• First place: Carl Waltz, Jr., for “Matte Proof Lincoln Cents 1909 to 1916.”
• Second place: Philip Vitale, for “Old Silver—The US’ First Silver Dollar Designs.”
• Third place: no exhibit

Class 2: United States Fiscal Paper, Sidney W. Smith/William Donlon Memorial. All paper money and bonds issued by the United States government, including military currency; pre-U.S. colonial, Continental, and Confederate paper money and bonds; state and private banknotes and bonds; scrip; college currency; and stock certificates. Essays, proofs, and souvenir cards of such items may also be shown.

• First place: Michael McNeil, for “The Women Who Signed Confederate Treasury Notes.”
• Second place: Nancy Wilson, for “Battleship Note.”
• Third place: Max Hensley, for “Numismatics, Meet Scripophily.”

Class 3: Medals, Orders, Decorations and Badges; Burton Saxton/George Bauer Memorial. Medallic items not used as a medium of exchange, or not having trade value. Orders and decorations, convention badges, and badges issued by fraternal orders or other organizations. Excluded are Masonic pennies and tokens included in classes 5-8.

• First place: Thomas J. Uram, for “The Society of Medallists.”
• Second place: Robert Rhue, for “The Official 1959 Hawaii Statehood Medal Set In Gold, Silver and Copper, with Five Piece Progression / Process Set.”
• Third place: Peter Smith, for “Worthy Coin Anniversary Medal.”

Class 4: Modern U.S. Coins and Modern Medals, John R. Eshbach Memorial. Coins and medallic (non-denominated) material issued 1960 and later, including philatelic numismatic covers.

• First place: Simcha Laib Kuritzky, for “A Type Set of Gold Dutch-Israeli Fantasy Coins.”
• Second place: John Wilson, for “ANA 125th Anniversary Medal.”
• Third place: Eric Holcomb, for “Great American Eclipse: August 21, 2017.”

Class 5: Tokens, B.P. Wright Memorial. Items, including encased postage, issued as a medium of exchange for goods and services or for advertising purposes, but excluding American colonial items included in class 1. Includes Masonic pennies and substances used in lieu of metal.

• First place: Gawain O’Connor, for “Tim, Redbacks, and the Third Degree Knicker Pie Eater’s Club.”
• Second place: Mark Wieclaw, for “The Russian ‘Beard’ Tax Tokens of 1705.”
• Third place: Phil Iversen, for “Bingle Tokens.”

Class 6: Casino Chips and Gaming Tokens, Archie A. Black Award. Items of all types and materials used as gaming pieces, including traditional and non-traditional tokens and other money substitutes, and including tokens used in military clubs.

• First place: Tony Kreusch, for “Rodeo Chips.”
• Second place: no exhibit
• Third place: no exhibit.

Class 7: Engraved Coins, Love Token Society Award. Numismatic items that have been converted into jewelry, amulets, or decorative objects. Examples are love tokens, hobo nickels, and “pop-out” coins.

• First place: Simcha Laib Kuritzky, for “Engraved Coins of the ‘Three Abrahamic Faiths.’”
• Second place: Judy Schwan, for “The Baghdad Shilling.”
• Third place: no exhibit

Class 8: Elongated Coins, Dottie Dow Memorial. Souvenirs created using an elongating machine, whether the underlying piece is a coin, token, medal, or blank planchet.

• First place: Terri Ventresca, for “TV Shows Memories: An Elongated Coin Series by Don Adams.”
• Second place: Cindy Z. Calhoun, for “Square and Compass.”
• Third place: Tyler Tyson, for “True Elongated Half Dollars.”

Class 9: Coins Issued Prior to 1500 A.D., Dr. Charles W. Crowe Memorial. Coins, including gold, issued by any government before 1500 A.D.

• First place: Michael Shutterly, for “Remember the Ladies: The Empresses of Rome’s Severan Dynasty, 193-235.”
• Second place: no exhibit
• Third place: no exhibit

Class 10: Regional U.S. Numismatics, William C. Henderson/Fred Cihon Memorial. Numismatic material of any type specific to a particular region of the United States, such as the locale where the exhibit is being presented.

• First place: Robert Rhue, for “The Colored Seal Notes of Colonial Georgia.”
• Second place: Terry L. Carver, for “The Badge Presented by General William Jackson Palmer to Veterans of the 15th Pennsylvania Cavalry at their 35th Annual Reunion.”
• Third place: Christopher Marchase, for “A Collection of Items from the Cripple Creek District, Colorado, c.1890-1915.”

Class 11: Numismatics of the Americas, Henry Christensen/John Jay Pittman Sr. Memorial. Numismatic material of any type issued or used in the Western Hemisphere outside the United States.

• First place: Carlos Paiz, for “Rarities from the Guatemala Colonial G and NG Mints 1733-1821.”
• Second place: no exhibit
• Third place: no exhibit

Class 12: Numismatics of Europe, John S. Davenport Memorial. Numismatic material of any type issued or used in Europe, including Russia east to the Urals.

• First place: Michael Shutterly, for “Boris Godunov: One Opera, Many Stories.”
• Second place: Mark Wieclaw, for “Irish ‘Gun’ Money 1689-1690 (A Complete Type Set).”
• Third place: Roderick T. Frechette, for “Sing a Song of Six Pence.”

Class 13: Numismatics of Africa and the Middle East, Menachem Chaim and Simcha Tova Mizel Memorial. Numismatic material of any type issued or used on the continent of Africa and in the Middle East (from Turkey east through Iran and south to Aden).

• First place: Simcha Laib Kuritzky, “Boy for Sale? Middle Eastern Ingots for the Redemption of the Firstborn Son.”
• Second place: no exhibit
• Third place: no exhibit

Class 14: Numismatics of Asia and the Pacific, William B. Warden Jr. Memorial. All numismatic material issued or used in Asia east of the Urals and Iran, and in the southeast Asian, Australasian, and Pacific islands (excluding Hawaii under the U.S.).

• First place: Sunil Richardson, for “‘Octopus-Men’ Coins—The incredible durability of these designs on coins for over 5 centuries.”
• Second place: Gerald Grzenda, for “The Coinage of Hong Kong.”
• Third place: no exhibit

Class 15: Gold Coins, Gaston DiBello/Melvin and Leona Kohl Memorial. Gold coins of any provenance and era.

• First place: Simcha Laib Kuritzky, for “Israel’s Two-Decade Long Road to Standardized Gold Coinage.”
• Second place: Kevin Dailey, for “Gold Coins of the Mint’s Golden Girl.”
• Third place: no exhibit

Class 16: Numismatic Errors and Error Varieties, Numismatic Error Collectors Award. Any numismatic material mis-struck or misprinted by the producer, including varieties caused by die or plate deterioration or damage. Items mutilated or altered after production are excluded.

• No exhibits entered in this class.

Class 17: Numismatic Literature, Aaron Feldman Memorial. Printed and manuscript (published or unpublished) literature dealing with any numismatic subject.

• First place: not awarded
• Second place: Darryl Anthony Gomez, for “Debut of the President of the United States special Government medal Series.”
• Third place: no exhibit

Class 18: General, Specialized, and Topical, Robert Hendershott Memorial. Numismatic material not covered in other classes or covered by more than one class. Includes wooden money, political buttons and insignia, and other exonumia, as well as media of exchange used in carrying out purchases and business transactions by primitive people and later by others as they progressed from barter to coins, or other items generally accepted as primitive or odd and curious currencies. Also includes exhibits showing material linked by design, such as elephants or bridges, or by theme, such as a world’s fair.

• First place: David Feely, for “Around the World of WWII Short Snorters.”
• Second place: Michael Shutterly, for “On the Wings of Myth: Pegasus and His Story.”
• Third place: Marilyn Reback, for “Saint-Michel in Peril of the Sea.”

Class 19: Convention Theme, Clifford Mishler Award. Numismatic items of any type that, together with the exhibit text, illustrate the announced theme for the convention at which the exhibit is shown. The 2017 convention theme was “Rush to the Rockies.”

• First place: Scott Safe, for “A Trio of Colorful Colorado Centennial Celebrations.”
• Second place: Phil Iversen, for “Denver Mint Early Years.”
• Third place: Terry L. Carver, for “A Collection of National Commemorative Medals Issued for The Pony Express Centennial.”

Class 20: U.S. Commemorative Coinage, Society for U.S. Commemorative Coins Award. Material of any type or period related to United States commemorative coinage and to the events being commemorated.

• First place: V. Kurt Bellman, for “The California Pacific International Exposition of 1935 & 1936”
• Second place: no exhibit
• Third place: no exhibit

Class 21: Emeritus, Barry Stuppler Award. Exhibits by individuals not otherwise eligible to exhibit competitively, or exhibits that have won best-of-show or twice won in class competition at the World’s Fair of Money®. Any other exhibit may also be entered at the exhibitor’s option. The winner of this class does not advance to best-of-show judging.

• No exhibits entered in this class.

2017 YN Exhibit Awards

No exhibits entered in this division.

The American Numismatic Association is a congressionally chartered nonprofit educational organization dedicated to encouraging people to study and collect money 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, conventions and seminars. For more information call 719-632-2646 or visit www.money.org.

Denver World’s Fair of Money Embraced by Collectors

Aug 18, 2017 | ANA, News

The American Numismatic Association’s (ANA) 2017 World’s Fair of Money – the most important numismatic event of the year – welcomed 8,638 people at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Aug. 1-5.

The family-friendly event featured displays by government and private mints from around the world; expansive educational programs led by notable speakers sharing their numismatic expertise; exhibits of rare treasures from private collectors and from the American Numismatic Association’s Money Museum — including Colorado Gold Rush era rarities; hundreds of dealers buying and selling coins, currency and related items in all price ranges; and major auctions by Heritage Auctions and Stack’s Bowers Galleries.

The recent discovery by David McCarthy of the first silver piece minted by the United States government in 1783 – which was on display at the show – garnered huge publicity. (Collectors can access David McCarthy’s article in the August issue of The Numismatist at www.money.org/nova-constellatio.)

According to newly-elected ANA President Gary Adkins, “The Denver World’s Fair of Money finished strong. Most dealers shared with me that they enjoyed the show and had good business overall. And collectors were pleased with the many outstanding exhibits and educational opportunities.”

“This was undoubtedly one of the best shows we’ve ever attended,” says Ken Hallenbeck of Hallenbeck Coin Gallery. “Our retail sales to collectors were tremendous, partly because we offered a wide variety of material.”

Attendance was strongest on Saturday, Aug. 5, when 1,958 members of the public turned out for free “family-day” admission. Hundreds of young people converged into the Kids Zone, where they could see their faces on a $100,000 bill, design their own coin or note, make an elongated coin, spin a wheel for a chance to win numismatic prizes or grab some high-flying bucks inside the “Cash Cube.” ANA Education Director Rod Gillis reported that 346 kids participated in the Treasure Trivia game as they explored the bourse floor in search of answers to trivia questions. Coin Collecting 101, a free class for those interested in numismatics, was standing room only.

Complete attendance numbers for the 2017 World’s Fair of Money

Total attendance: 8,638

• General public: 4,196
• ANA members: 2,909
• Table-holders/dealers: 1,420
• Staff, volunteers and pages: 113

Total daily attendance

• Tuesday: 2,840 (returning visitors such as table holders, staff and volunteers are counted in first-day attendance only)
• Wednesday: 1,194
• Thursday: 1,196
• Friday: 1,090
• Saturday: 2,318

Immediately following the World’s Fair of Money on Sunday, Aug. 6, the Association hosted a “Golden Day at the ANA” to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its Colorado Springs-based headquarters. Nearly 250 members converged at the ANA open house to enjoy food, fellowship, collectible souvenirs, caricatures, tours and mini-mint demonstrations.

The 2018 World’s Fair of Money will be held in Philadelphia, Aug. 14-18, at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

New ANA Board of Governors installed

The World’s Fair of Money also saw the installation of the newly elected ANA Board of Governors on Aug 4. Voting members of the Association chose a new president, Gary Adkins, and vice president, Don Kagin, as well as three new board members: Thomas Uram, John Highfill and Brian Hendelson, who join Col. Steve Ellsworth, Dr. Ralph Ross, Greg Lyon and Paul Montgomery for a two-year term. Outgoing president Jeff Garrett will serve as a non-voting, ex-officio member of the board. Governor Walt Ostromecki reached his term limit, and Tom Mulvaney did not seek re-election.

The American Numismatic Association is a congressionally chartered nonprofit educational organization dedicated to encouraging people to study and collect money 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, conventions and seminars. For more information call 719-632-2646 or visit www.money.org.