ANA bestows Medals of Merit

The American Numismatic Association awarded Medals of Merit to three members who have dedicated years of service to the ANA and the promotion of the hobby. Mark and Myrna Lighterman and John Nebel were recognized during an Aug. 9 awards ceremony at the World’s Fair of Money in Philadelphia.

Currently serving as national exhibit coordinator, Mark Lighterman has extensive collecting and judging experience. He has written for The Numismatist and served on ANA committees. He is president of the Combined Organizations of Numismatic Error Collectors of America, secretary and treasurer of the Token and Medal Society, a board member and past president of Florida United Numismatists, and a founding member of the Floridian Casino Chip & Gaming Token Collector’s Club.

His previous ANA honors include the Presidential Award (1999 and 2009) and the Glenn Smedley Memorial Award (2002).

Myrna Lighterman, Mark’s mother, has been a collector for 40 years and an ANA member since 1992. A dedicated national volunteer, she typically works with young people and exhibitors at the World’s Fair of Money and the National Money Show.

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ANA life member John Nebel is a computer consultant who has volunteered his time and expertise to meet the association’s technology needs.

Nebel has taught numismatic photography at the ANA Summer Seminar, where he supports scholarship programs by donating high-value ancient coins to the Young Numismatist Benefit Auction.

His numismatic photographs grace the ANA’s Colorado Springs headquarters as well as the pages of The Numismatist.

Nebel’s firm, Computer Systems Design Company, hosts the websites of more than 50 ANA-member clubs at no charge. Thanks to CSDC, the ANA’s Bebee Collection of U.S. Paper Money has been digitized and made accessible online.

He has been recognized with a Presidential Award (2009) and the Glenn Smedley Memorial Award (2010).