ANA TO RECOGNIZE 2026 HOBBY CONTRIBUTORS

The American Numismatic Association (ANA) is recognizing leading role models in the numismatic community that have exhibited an influential, and positive presence. The Outstanding Adult Advisor and Outstanding District Representative will be awarded during the Pittsburgh World's Fair of Money® Member Awards and Donor Celebration, Thursday, August 27 from 3-4:30 p.m. at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. The ANA Dealer of the Year will be awarded at the convention's 135th Anniversary Awards Banquet, Friday, August 28 from 7-10 p.m. at the Westin Pittsburgh Hotel.

Abigail Zechman is the recipient of the ANA's 2026 Lawrence J. Gentile Sr. Memorial Award for Outstanding Adult Advisor. Passionate about education, Zechman serves as a counselor for the ANA's Young Numismatists of America and at Summer Seminar. As the Professional Coin Grading Service's program manager of Numismatic Education and Development, she seizes daily opportunities to connect with kids about coins. She has also served on the board of the Florida United Numismatists (FUN) and helped organize FUN's coin shows.

Outstanding District Representative Bob Jones has been a dedicated volunteer for many years. Serving as a district representative, and educator, he supports collectors and coin clubs throughout Kentucky, West Virginia, and Tennessee. Through his leadership, he has promoted collector education, strengthened local clubs, and expanded ANA membership. His outreach efforts at the Kentucky State Fair alone resulted in 73 new ANA members. Whether at coin shows, state fairs, or club meetings, Jones's enthusiasm, dependability, and commitment to numismatics continue to make a lasting impact on the hobby.

The 2026 Harry J. Forman Dealer of the Year is Laura Sperber. The award recognizes a professional numismatist who shows uncommon dedication to strengthening the hobby and the ANA; exhibits high ethical standards and integrity; and is committed to treating customers fairly and consistently.

Sperber has been a professional coin dealer since 1959, forming Legend Numismatics and Legend Auctions. Some of her longest-lasting accomplishments lie in the collections she has built for her customers. Her legendary assemblages focus on grade and quality, such as the renowned Bob R. Simpson Collection of U.S. patterns and gold coins. Sperber has built arguably more No. 1 PCGS Set Registry collections than any other dealer and has brought many outsiders into the hobby as a result.

A fixture at every major coin show for many years, Sperber is an expert in her field and has introduced numismatics to numerous newcomers with exquisite taste.

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