Joel Orosz writes:

FormerCoin World Editor Margo Russell, 95, died Jan. 26 in Sidney, Ohio.

Mrs. Russell, often called the "First Lady of Numismatics," served as editor for 23 of Coin World's first 25 years ofoperation, before retiring Feb. 28, 1985. She began her newspaper career in Ohio at the age of 17 at the Sidney Daily News.

In 1960, she transferred her journalism skills to Coin World, a new sister publication to the daily newspaper, and in 1962 she took overresponsibility for the editorial department when she was named executive editor; later she was promoted to the editorship.

Award recognition

Mrs. Russell received many honors from her peers in the collecting community during her decades of service to the hobby.

She was presented with numerous awards from the Numismatic Literary Guild, including its highest award, the "Clemy."

She was also a recipient of the ANA's Medal of Merit and the association's highest honor, the Farran Zerbe Award, and was inducted into theAmerican Numismatic Association Hall of Fame.

Mrs. Russell was given a diploma of recognition from the Sociedad Numismatica de Mexico. She also lectured about numismatics at the MassachusettsInstitute of Technology, as well as Purdue and Roosevelt Universities, and state and regional numismatic educational forums.

Margo's memories

In the April 5, 2010, issue of Coin World, focusing on numismatic events in the 1960s, Mrs. Russell submitted her observations of thoseearly days.

"In 1960 visionary publishing entrepreneurs in Sidney, Ohio, launched Coin World, the first weekly newspaper for coins and their devotees. After50 years, the founders' philosophy, 'The Collector is King,' is as good as gold, not only for a hobby but for a science and a profession.

"Early in 1960 I was asked to develop, from home, freelance coin features for the start-up Coin World. ... I was given the heady title of historicalresearcher. I moved to full time, then as executive editor and editor. When the board of directors named me editor in 1967, publisher [J. Oliver]Amos told me I had filled the post, sans title, for some time.

"My first American Numismatic Association convention was in Boston in 1960.

"The first issue of Coin World was timed appropriately to appear during National Coin Week in April 1960.

To read the complete article, see:
'First Lady of Numismatics' dies: Former Coin WorldEditor Margo Russell, 95 (www.coinworld.com/news/former-coin-world-editor-margo-russell-dies.html)

Margo Russell, 95, who died Wednesday in Sidney, was a community leader whose influence and expertise weresought and honored nationally and internationally.

A reporter for the Sidney Daily News when she was 17, she enjoyed a long career in publishing at Amos Press (now Amos Media Inc.),eventually serving as editor of Coin World magazine.

The Coin World position catapulted her into national appointments by President Lyndon B. Johnson, onto committees with senators,congressmen and national leaders and into lecture halls at major universities. She garnered many awards from numismatic organizations.

Her marriage to Marion Russell, who preceded her in death in 1997, made her a member of the founding family of Dorothy Love Retirement Community,where she served on the boards of the local facility and also of Dorothy Love's parent company, Ohio Presbyterian Retirement Services.

To read the complete article, see:
Community remembers Margo Russell(www.sidneydailynews.com/news/news/151529134/Community-remembers-Margo-Russell)

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