The American Numismatic Association (ANA) has awarded 2025 scholarships to Hayes Ruckstaetter from St. Louis, Missouri, and Hudson Thiry from Luxemburg, Wisconsin. Each winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship to use toward tuition at an institution of their choice.

"The annual scholarship provides the American Numismatic Association the opportunity to recognize young numismatists making an impact in the world," says ANA Education Director Christian Strayhorn, "not only in numismatics, but also in their own fields. By assisting these fine recipients with higher education, it is our hope to see them continue to excel at a high level and share their passion for collecting." The recipients are eligible to receive the scholarship for up to four years.

During 2020, when many students were attending classes virtually, Hayes Ruckstaetter had the time to start collecting coins and pursue numismatic interests, starting with a U.S. type set.

"The rich stories and history behind the coins are my favorite parts of numismatics," said Ruckstaetter, "especially researching older coins that circulated during early wars in America and how the coins were created, distributed, and used during wartime."

To stay involved in numismatics, Ruckstaetter volunteers at the Missouri Numismatic Association's annual shows, attends local coin shows, and continues to add to his personal collection. The coins he enjoys collecting most at the moment are Liberty Walking half dollars and Proof American Innovation dollars.

In fall of 2025, he will study business management at the Sam Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas.

"I am grateful for the American Numismatic Association's contribution to my academic career, and I will use my education to further my ability to aid the American Numismatic Association in the future," he said.

The second 2025 ANA scholarship recipient, Hudson Thiry, began collecting coins around age 10, after finding a cent on the ground and wondering what it was made of.

Thiry has been working at a coin shop in his area for the past year and a half and has been collecting avidly for about eight years. He prefers to add Connecticut Coppers and other colonial coins to his collection, as well as Morgan Dollar VAMs and ancient Roman coins.

"I have always enjoyed being able to learn the history involved with the coins I am collecting," he said about collecting.

He plans to pursue a major in architecture at the University of Notre Dame.

Applications for the 2026 ANA College Scholarship will be available in January. Recipients are selected based on academic scholarship and numismatic accomplishments. Applicants must be a senior in high school and a member of the ANA.

For additional information, contact ANA Education Director Christian Strayhorn at cstrayhorn@money.org or call her directly at 719-482-9845.