Nominate a Numismatic Ambassador today

It is time to nominate worthy candidates for the next class of Numismatic Ambassador Awards.

This award seeks to recognize the many hobby individuals who strive to make organized numismatics a better place through their efforts as volunteers, writers, lecturers, exhibitors and as members of their local “get it done” committee.

The Numismatic Ambassador Award was given first in 1974 to a longtime California collector named Charlie Colver. It has been hard to think of organized numismatics in the Golden State without his name popping up. But he was just the first. There have been many more recipients in California and in the other 49 states since then (and even a small number from overseas). In fact, one of the award recipients is the general chairman of the American Numismatic Association convention to be held this summer in Los Angeles.

This convention, which the ANA calls the World’s Fair of Money, will be the site of the next round of awards.

Last year it was decided that all Ambassador Award winners will be announced at once at the annual Ambassador Breakfast that is held in conjunction with the convention.

All will be recognized simultaneously in front of an audience of previous award holders. And why not? It is this very same group of people who make the award selection by voting their choices in a balloting process. Not only are their voices heard by their votes, they will be able to witness the induction of each class of new award winners.

Of course, there will be an occasional exception made. When Cliff Mishler drew up the founding award rules, he put in place the proviso that, “The Numismatic News staff reserves the right to make occasional special Numismatic Ambassador selections with or without the presence of nominations submitted by others.” That power has been used very sparingly over the years, but it does continue to be used infrequently.

That’s why this column puts out the call to all readers to nominate those whom they know in the hobby who should be made Numismatic Ambassadors. Take a look at the handy nomination form below. It will give you an idea of what qualifications are looked for by the current holders of the award when they make their choices on their annual ballot.

As you can see, we are not asking you to write a book when you make a nomination, but we do need to receive a reasonable amount of background information in order for the current award holders to make their decisions.

Send your nominations in by March 31. The staff here will compile the information we receive and prepare a ballot for current award holders to vote on starting in early May with a deadline of May 31. Then we can order plaques and prepare for the formal announcement in Los Angeles.

The Numismatic Ambassador Award has been given for 35 years. It has gone to many worthy people. Help us to recognize those who deserve the honor. Mail or e-mail your nominations today.

Click here to download the Ambassador Nomination Form.