ANA RECOGNIZES 2026 HONOREES

This year, the American Numismatic Association (ANA) proudly honors a dedicated numismatist, an inspiring young collector, and seven passionate hobbyists whose contributions have elevated the collecting community. The Numismatist of the Year was celebrated at the 135th Anniversary Awards Banquet during the Pittsburgh World's Fair of Money®. The Young Numismatist of the Year and Glenn Smedley Memorial Award recipients were presented during the convention's Member Awards Celebration. Both events applaud those whose enthusiasm and commitment continue to enrich the world of numismatics.

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 2026 recipient is Jeff Garrett.

The founder of Mid-American Rare Coin Galleries, Garrett is one of the leading experts in U.S. coinage and has been a member of the Professional Numismatists Guide since 1982. He has handled two significant numismatic finds—the Major General Clayton L. Bissell short snorter and the Great Kentucky Hoard. He served as one of the original graders for Professional Coin Grading Service, and he currently works as a consultant to Numismatic Guaranty Company. He has authored a number of essential numismatic references and is the valuation editor for A Guide Book of United States Coins (the "Red Book").

Garrett has long been involved in the ANA, serving as governor (2009-11), vice president (2013-15), and president (2015-17). He has attended every ANA convention since 1974, and he continues to support the Edward C. Rochette Money Museum, encourage donor engagement, and fund scholarships. A member of the Dr. George F. Heath Society, he has donated extensive time and resources to further the ANA's educational mission.

Young Numismatists of America (YNA) President Elliot Eng is the 2026 Young Numismatist of the Year, an award sponsored by U.S. Coins & Jewelry. A member of the YNA since its inception, Eng has tirelessly worked to support the organization, helping it grow over 110 members from 30-plus states and multiple countries. He has also been heavily involved in the ANA since he joined in 2021, serving as a head cataloger for the ANA's Annual YN Auctions in 2025 and 2026 and completing several of the ANA's Currency Connector projects.

Eng has also proven himself a talented author, earning the second place Bill Fivaz Young Numismatist Literary Award in 2022 and publishing over 20 articles in a variety of numismatic publications. He currently serves as a co-columnist for the Reading Room.

Eng is continuing to grow in the world of professional numismatics. He became the youngest-ever attendee of the Stack's Bowers Galleries Professional Numismatist Program in the summer of 2025. As a result of his hard work during the program, the auction firm offered Eng a full-time summer internship, which he began in May.

The ANA is recognizing five exceptional individuals with a 2026 Glenn Smedley Memorial Award. These highly involved hobbyists demonstrate positivity, cooperation, dependability, and strong communication skills.

A prolific writer and exhibitor, professor Mark Benvenuto has penned 1,600 articles for local, regional, and national numismatic publications and received more than 60 literary awards in a 30-year timespan. He has also created 61 numismatic exhibits since 1991.

Mark Benvenuto and Devin Hipp

Devin Hipp has built a reputation as one of the most forward-thinking professionals in the modern coin trade. He formulated curricula for Witter Coin U and Stack's Bowers Galleries' Professional Numismatist Program and recently cofounded Numismatic Rarities Exchange (NREX).

Prominent dealer Don Ketterling launched his numismatic career in the 1960s. A well-respected, trustworthy coin expert, he now runs DH Ketterling Consulting as a numismatic advisor. He has taught advanced coin grading courses at the ANA's Summer Seminar since 2011.

Don Ketterling and Mike Sutton

After more than two decades of service, Mike Sutton recently retired from his position as president of the Bluegrass Coin Club in Lexington, Kentucky. During his tenure, he hosted hundreds of monthly meetings for club members to connect and share knowledge.

The collecting bug bit David Tyler when he received a few foreign coins in change as a child, and his interest in world currency persists to this day. He joined the Bluegrass Coin Club in 1998 and served as treasurer for nearly 25 years.

The ANA World's Fair of Money (WorldsFairOfMoney.com) was hosted at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, PA. The show brings coin collectors together from all over the world, featuring hundreds of dealers, displays of rare treasures, educational opportunities, family activities, and more.

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