Images courtesy PCGS show awardees Gillio and Karstedtflanked by SBG President Brian Kendrella and PCGS President Stephanie Sabin.

Stack's Bowers Galleries is pleased to announce that two of the firm's leaders, Ronald J. Gillioand Christine Karstedt, have been inducted into the PCGS CoinFacts Coin Dealer Hall of Fame. This group honorscoin dealers past and present who have shaped the coin hobby through their dedication, expertise, innovation, andcommitment to making "the hobby of kings" something millions can enjoy. Begun in 2010 with the induction of thefirst six "all-time greats" - Q. David Bowers, S. Hudson Chapman, Henry Chapman, B. Max Mehl, WayteRaymond, and W. Elliot Woodward - each year additional numismatic "giants" are added to the PCGS CoinFactsCoin Dealer Hall of Fame.

During the PCGS event, held August 8 during the annual ANA World's Fair of Money, PCGS President StephanieSabin invited Brian Kendrella, President of Stack's Bowers Galleries, to the podium to introduce Karstedt andGillio. Regarding Karstedt's contributions to numismatics, he commented, "Chris' nearly 40-year career is atestament to her unwavering dedication to our clients and passion for the auction business. Her success is driven byher ability to forge lifelong relationships with collectors and their families and her pursuit of excellence on theirbehalf, defining her legacy and setting new standards in our industry." In praise of Gillio, Kendrella stated: "Ron is atrue titan of numismatics, whose pioneering spirit has not only opened new markets and forged monumental dealsbut has also enriched the entire field with his unwavering dedication and integrity."

Christine Karstedt began with Bowers and Merena in 1989, learning the auction business from the ground up. Overthe past four decades she has played a pivotal role in the sale of dozens of famous collections, including workingpersonally with the Eliasbergs, the Norwebs, the Bass family, Charles and Joel Anderson and the Pogue family. Herpersonal approach to consignors meant that she was not only dealing with their coins and banknotes, but she wasinvited into their homes, got to know their families, and forged lifelong connections that endure to this day.

Her commitment to the future of the hobby is exemplified in her nurturing of the next generation of numismatists.She is never too busy to sit down with a young enthusiast at a convention, surprising them with a box full of booksto ignite their passion and expand their knowledge.

Chris is a member of the Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG) and a life member of the American NumismaticAssociation (ANA). In 2017 PNG presented her with the Art Kagin Ambassador Award honoring those who providedistinguished service as advocates of numismatic goodwill.

Ron Gillio has always been a pioneer of numismatics, with accomplishments and contributions far too numerous fora simple list. He was at the forefront of opening the world to numismatic trade from the United States to SouthAmerica to Europe to the Far East. His accomplishments include starting an auction company doing business inHong Kong and consummating several of the largest coin deals in history, including the Wells Fargo Hoard. Overtime he has purchased hundreds of thousands of U.S. gold coins worth billions of dollars, and in the process ofrepatriating these coins, has saved countless numismatic rarities from the melting pot. He continues to run his retailstore in Santa Barbara, California - Gillio Rare Coins & Fine Jewelry, a division of Ronald J. Gillio, Inc. - one ofthe largest buyers, sellers and importers of rare coins in the United States.

Alongside his business success, Ron has made many contributions to the hobby. He is general chairman of thepopular Long Beach and Santa Clara, California Coin, Stamp & Collectibles Expos on behalf of the shows' owner,Collectors Universe, Inc. He is an official appraiser to the State of California and has served as an auctioneer for theUnited States Marshall's Office.??? A respected member of the most esteemed numismatic associations, Ron is a pastpresident of the Professional Numismatists Guild (PNG), as well as the recipient of the Founders Award, the highesthonor of that organization. He is a Life Member of the American Numismatic Association (ANA), has been amember of the International Association of Professional Numismatists (IAPN) for more than two decades, and isfounding charter member No. 11 of the ?Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS). In 1984, he became acontributor to the 37th edition of A Guide Book of United States Coins (The Red Book), and has appeared as such inevery subsequent edition. He has been a contributor to the Standard Catalog of World Coins, the Official ANAGrading Standards for United States Coins, and the Coin World Almanac.? He co-authored the standard reference onCalifornia Fractional Gold Coins, which is currently being updated and will be published by Stack's BowersGalleries in the upcoming year.

To read the complete PCGS article, see:
PCGS Inducts Numismatic Luminaries To Coin Dealer Hall Of Fame(https://www.pcgs.com/news/pcgs-inducts-numismatic-luminaries-to-coin-dealer-hall-of-fame)