Ron Guth
Ronald Guth, a scholar, author, collector and volunteer, is the American Numismatic Association's 2014 Numismatist of the Year. He will be presented with the award during the Awards Banquet on Aug. 8 at the Chicago World's Fair of Money in Rosemont, Illinois.

Guth has authored numerous books furthering the hobby. Some of his most notable publications are: "Auction Prices Realized for Certified German Coins, 2nd Edition," 2013; "Auction Prices Realized for PCGS-graded German Coins, 2nd Edition," 2011; "100 Greatest U.S. Coins, 3rd Edition" (with Jeff Garrett), 2008; "Coin Collecting for Dummies, 2nd Edition" (with Neil S. Berman) 2008; "Encyclopedia of U.S. Gold Coins 1795-1933, 2nd Edition" (with Jeff Garrett), 2008.

"Numismatics is a school where one can learn about people, history, geography, economics, politics and related subjects simply by studying the coins themselves," Guth said. "I am particularly fascinated by this educational component of coin collecting because it brings these subjects to life."

Guth has also received the ANA's Presidential Award (2006), Glenn Smedley Award (2006), Olga & Wayte Raymond Award (1982) and Heath Literary Award (1982).

More about Guth's lengthy and much-honored career can be read in the August issue of The Numismatist.

Gene Hessler
Longtime numismatist Gene Hessler will be honored with the American Numismatic Association's 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award at the Chicago World's Fair of Money Awards Banquet on Aug. 8 in Rosemont, Illinois.

Hessler's many numismatic accomplishments include Curator of the Chase Manhattan Bank Money Museum, 1967-1977 and Curator of the Mercantile Bank Money Museum (Eric Newman Collection), 1986-1989. He discovered and published several previously unknown designs for U.S. currency through research at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing and the Smithsonian Institution. Hessler also won the Howland Wood Award at the ANA's Centennial Convention in 1991, for his exhibit of the complete works of Czech banknote designer Max Svabinsky.

Throughout his numismatic career Hessler has won numerous ANA awards including the Heath Literary Award (1983), Glen Smedley Memorial Award (1993), Medal of Merit (1995), Presidential Award (1998), ANA Honorary Life Member (1990). Other awards include Professional Numismatists Guild Outstanding Achievement Award (1994), International Bank Note Society Silver Medal for Service (2001), Middle Atlantic Numismatic Association Numismatist of the Year (2001), and Numismatic Literary Guild Clemy (2007).

More about Hessler's remarkable career can be read in the August issue of The Numismatist.

Neil Shafer
Hall of Fame numismatist Neil Shafer will be presented with the American Numismatic Association's highest honor, the 2014 Farran Zerbe Memorial Award, on Aug. 8 during the Awards Banquet at the Chicago World's Fair of Money in Rosemont, Illinois. The Farran Zerbe Memorial Award is the highest honor conferred by the ANA and is given in recognition of numerous years of outstanding, dedicated service to numismatics.

"I am very pleased and honored to be given this prestigious award," Shafer said. "Having been an ANA member for over 60 years, I have tried to contribute to the numismatic hobby in a meaningful way, and it is gratifying to know that my work has been appreciated."

Shafer's tireless dedication to the hobby includes being an instructor at Summer Seminar and authoring numismatic articles for major publications. He has also been a coin club officer and exhibited and judged at numerous conventions, including ANA shows, Central States and FUN. Shafer's work with Young Numismatist and Scout programs has helped to ensure the hobby is passed on to new generations.

Shafer has won many awards for his contributions to the hobby, some of which include the ANA's Medal of Merit (1990), Adult Advisor of the Year (1993), Presidential Award (1996), Lifetime Achievement Award (2007). Other awards he has won are the Numismatic Literary Guild Clemmy Award (2004), and the Central States Numismatic Society Elston G. Bradfield Writer's Award (1989). In 2008, he was enshrined in the Numismatic Hall of Fame.

Read more about Neil Shafer in the August issue of The Numismatist.

For more information, visit the ANA website at:www.money.org

To read more on CoinWeek, see:American Numismatic Association Announces 2014 Honorees(www.coinweek.com/coin-clubs/american-numismatic-association/american-numismatic-association-announces-2014-honorees/)