Seventy-two members and guests of the Rochester Numismatic Association, Inc., gathered May 29 in Fairport, N.Y., for the group’s 93rd annual banquet.
It is tradition that the previous year’s president is honored at the banquet with the release of a presidential medal. This year’s 2-inch bronze medal bore the likeness of Theodore “Ted” L. Vaccarella, RNA’s 96th president.
The obverse was sculpted by Luigi Badia, and the reverse features a long-standing design created by sculptor and longtime member Alphonse Kolb. Former RNA president Andrew Harkness was awarded the RNA Numismatist of the Year plaque and certificate for his many contributions to the field.
Wayne Scheible, Patricia Scheible, Clark King, Gerard Muhl, Edith Coe and William Coe were recognized with certificates for having completed 40 years as members in the club. Their special 2-inch silver long-service medals were delayed by a silver supply shortage.
Writer’s Award Medals were issued to those members who wrote articles for the club’s newsletter, RNA News. The medals were presented by Charlie Ricard, RNA Member #1, for whom the award is named. Also, medals were issued to members who gave educational talks at one of RNA’s semi-monthly meetings. The Speaker’s Medals are in memory of Kolb.
Member Richard Nachbar donated a substantial sum to the club’s 2012 Committee, in charge of preparations for RCA’s upcoming 100th anniversary. Additional money was earmarked for the Rochester Junior Numismatic Association.
Along with the help of many members, the banquet was planned and executed by Steven Eisinger, vice president, and George Irwin, treasurer.