ANA NUMISMATIST OF THE YEAR AWARDS

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V26 2023 INDEX E-SYLUM ARCHIVE

The E-Sylum: Volume 26, Number 31, July 30, 2023, Article 20

In this press release the ANA announces winners of their 2023 Numismatist of the Year and Young Numismatist of the Year awards. Congratulations! -Editor

One long-time numismatist and one budding collector are being recognized with American Numismatic Association (ANA) awards for their devotion to the hobby. The Numismatist of the Year is being awarded during the Pittsburgh World's Fair of Money® 132nd Anniversary Awards Banquet, 7-10 p.m. in the Allegheny Ballroom at The Westin Pittsburgh. The Young Numismatist of the Year was presented during this year's annual Summer Seminar event.

The Numismatist of the Year award recognizes collectors at the regional and/or national level who have demonstrated outstanding leadership within the hobby and the ANA. The 2023 recipient is longtime collector and former Citizen's Coinage Advisory Committee member Roger W. Burdette.

Burdette started collecting by filling holes in coin folders with pocket change and searching coin rolls. In the 1970s, he pioneered accurate, high-quality photography, and by the 1990s he started to specialize in numismatic research and writing, which led to his discovery of several U.S. pattern pieces. A prolific author, he has published over 90 research articles, contributed to publications such as The Numismatist and Coin World, and written several books, including the three-part Renaissance of American Coinage series and A Guide Book of Peace Dollars. Burdette is a member of the Rittenhouse Society and was on Coin World's 2021 list of the Most Influential People in Numismatics.

The Young Numismatist of the Year award honors young collectors for outstanding contributions to the hobby and industry. This award is limited to members of the ANA under the age of 18. The 2023 Young Numismatist of the Year is Kevin Lester.

At 17 years old, Lester has developed strong leadership skills that have earned him the position of officer for the Colorado Springs Coin Club. He is an ardent volunteer, having assisted with the 2017 World's Fair of Money®, the 2022 National Money Show®, the YN Benefit Auction at the ANA's Summer Seminar, and several local coin shows in Colorado Springs.

I've been privileged to know Roger Burdette for years, since moving to Northern Virginia and reaching out for his help in creating a social group for like-minded collectors in the area. As a mere mortal numismatist whose brainwaters flow neither as fast nor as deep, I'm always two steps behind his numismatic vision and snarky humor. He researches, writes and publishes significant research far faster than I'm able to read and absorb it. Like the late Eric P. Newman, Roger cares only for the truth, seeking out original evidence, making careful observations and skillfully reaching conclusions. His contributions to the hobby will reach beyond 2023. -Editor