Ullman gains recognition

It is always nice to see people win awards, but every so often they seem to be especially noteworthy.

Such was the case last night when I was able to witness the Professional Numismatists Guild hold its annual awards banquet at the Rosewood Restaurant in Rosemont, Ill.

Recognized with a PNG Lifetime Achievement Award was Eloise Ullman.

The award was given to Ullman by ICTA Industry Affairs Director and PNG Associate Member Diane Piret.

Ullman has provided the numismatic hobby and profession with 23 years of service. It is only a small exaggeration to say that from time to time she has held ICTA together with spit and baling wire.

Everybody seems to recognize the threat from an overreaching federal government in matters of tax and regulatory issues. But during her tenure budgets often were skimpy and personnel short considering what the goals were.

That means that in getting value for money, ICTA is the best there is. The creation of dealer anti-money laundering training alone would have made Ullman’s tenure significant.

Piret herself was honored also. She is the other half of the ICTA dynamic duo. She received the PNG Significant Contribution Award for her 40 years of dedication and significant contributions to numismatics. The award was jointly presented by PNG Board of Directors members Dana Samuelson and Barry Stuppler.

The following awards were also given last night. Thanks to Donn Pearlman I have a full list and I won’t have to decipher my handwritten notes.

The 2013 Sol Kaplan Award for helping to rid the profession of fraud and thievery was presented by PNG Board Member Mitchell Battino to fellow New Jersey dealer John Albanese. Albanese is a co-founder of both Numismatic Guaranty Corporation and Professional Coin Grading Service. In 2005 he founded the non-profit Numismatic Consumer Alliance that has helped recover millions of dollars for buyers who were the victims of unscrupulous coin merchants.

The Kaplan Award is jointly presented by the PNG and the Lewis M. Reagan Foundation, and is named after a former PNG President and Ohio dealer who was personally responsible for the apprehension of several people suspected of committing numismatic-related crimes.

The Abe Kosoff Founders Award, named after the PNG’s Founding President, was presented by PNG President Jeffrey Bernberg to fellow Illinois dealer and PNG Board Member James A. Simek for his enthusiastic leadership and steadfast dedication to the entire numismatic community.

Simek presented the Robert Friedberg Award for an outstanding book or other literature to Ronachai Krisadaolarn and Vasilijs Mihailovs, co-authors of Siamese Coins – From Funan to the Fifth Reign, published by River Books Co., Ltd. of Bangkok, Thailand.

Simek also was the presenter for the Art Kagin Ambassador Award that was given to longtime Pennsylvania dealer Catherine Bullowa. Named after a former PNG President, the Kagin Award is given for distinguished service as an advocate of numismatic goodwill.

PNG Executive Director Robert Brueggeman presented the Outstanding Service Award to Oklahoma dealer Paul Montgomery for his 14 years of distinguished service to PNG on the Board of Directors, including two years as President of the organization.

Worthy awards, worthy recipients and a very nicely done dinner.

Congratulations to all.

Buzz blogger Dave Harper is editor of the weekly newspaper "Numismatic News."