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 award recognizes regional or national collectors who have demonstrated outstanding leadership within the hobby and the ANA. The 2023 recipient is long-time collector and former U.S. Citizen’s Coinage Advisory Committee member Roger 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 more than 90 research articles, contributed to publications such as The Numismatist and Coin World plus written several books, including the three-part Renaissance of American Coinage series and A Guide Book of Peace Dollars.
Burdette is also a member of the Rittenhouse Society and was on Coin World’s 2021 list of the “Most Influential People in Numismatics.”
Kevin Lester.
YOUNG NUMISMATIST OF THE YEAR
The Young Numismatist of the Year award honours young collectors for outstanding contributions to the hobby and industry.
This award is limited to ANA members under the age of 18. The 2023 Young Numismatist of the Year is Kevin Lester.
At 17, 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, assisting with the 2017 World’s Fair of Money, the 2022 National Money Show, the YN Benefit Auction at the ANA Summer Seminar and several local coin shows in Colorado Springs.
The Numismatist of the Year is being awarded during the Pittsburgh World’s Fair of Money 132nd anniversary awards banquet. The Young Numismatist of the Year was presented during this year’s annual Summer Seminar.