A Way with Words

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

It is likely that anyone who has collected coins seriously for any number of years has accumulated stories about some favorite numismatic items, event, or practice that should be shared with others. And there is a ready marketplace for those special stories, as well as other collectors who may be just waiting to learn about your accumulated wisdom. 

Being a published author is rarely a road to riches, but the excitement and reward you receive from sharing your thoughts with an appreciative audience far outweighs the time spent preparing your essays. Plus, you’ll be adding to the enjoyment of others in the hobby. And, I can guarantee that you will increase your own knowledge and appreciation of whatever subject you choose to investigate and put pen to paper.

An understanding of where and how your literary works might be used is essential. Not all sources have the same standards, cater to the same audience, or reward the writers in the same way. It is essential to select an appropriate publication and follow its requirements and standards. Fortunately, several well-known numismatic magazines are available for consideration. And each is willing to assist new writers with editing, writing, and adherence to its publishing requirements. 

Some of these honors do not include a “penny for your thoughts” in the form of cash compensation. Other forms of payment include medals, accolades, plaques, and awards that are equally pleasing. Following is an overview of some of today’s leading numismatic publications, scholars, authors, and awards.

Other forms of payment include medals, accolades, plaques, and awards that are equally pleasing.

Heath Literary Awards

Introduced in 1949, the ANA Heath Literary Award acknowledges articles published in The Numismatist magazine during the preceding 12 months. All feature articles published in the preceding year are automatically considered for the Heath Literary Award; likewise, other qualifying articles are additionally evaluated for the Wayte and Olga Raymond, Catherine Sheehan,  and Prue & Arthur Fitts Awards. The ANA also sponsors the annual Young Numismatist Literary Awards. Monetary awards are given to budding authors in special categories like the Bill Fivaz (ages 8-12), Q. David Bowers (ages 13-17), and me, Ken Bressett (ages 18-22).

Clemy Award

The Clemy Award, the Numismatic Literary Guild’s (NLG) highest honor, is like nothing else. In the early years of the NLG, it involved awarding a kind of white elephant—a ponderous ancient Densmore typewriter that had been daubed with layers of gold paint. Traditionally, winners would hold onto it for one year and bestow it upon the next winner at the ANA convention the following year. In 1973 the award was retired to the  American Numismatic Association’s (ANA) Money Museum in Colorado Springs, and the winners now receive a certificate instead. The name, Clemy, was inspired by the first award winner, Clement F. Bailey, in 1968. Some other notable winners include R.S. Yeoman, Chet Krause, Ed Rochette, Maury Gould, Q. David Bowers, Barbara Gregory, Bill Fivaz, Margo Russell, and myself. 

The Burnett Anderson Memorial Award

Many consider the Burnett Anderson Memorial Award for Excellence in Numismatic Writing to be the industry’s highest honor. Krause Publications sponsors the award, and the ANA, NLG, and American Numismatic Society cooperatively select the winner. This annual award is presented to an author, journalist, or researcher in recognition of their written contributions to the hobby.

Burnett Anderson was a longtime Krause Publications correspondent and the company’s Washington Bureau Representative. The medal was first bestowed posthumously to Anderson in 1999 at the ANA’s 108th anniversary convention awards banquet. Prior to serving at Krause Publications, Anderson worked as a newspaper reporter, a foreign correspondent, and for 25 years, at the United States Information Agency. Burnett’s son, Mark Anderson, presented the award to me in 2018.

Rittenhouse Society

The Rittenhouse Society was established in 1960 to assist numismatic writers, researchers, and scholars. Founding members were Q. David Bowers, myself, George Fuld, Walter Breen, Grover Crisswell, and D. Wayne Johnson. The fraternity has grown since then to include authors of all types who assist each other in their writings and publications, and today it has over 50 active members, two of whom have been honored with commemorative medals.

So, if you’re looking for exciting ways to be recognized for your work, look no further! Writing might not always lead to riches, but it can expand your notoriety, contribute to numismatic scholarship, and ensure your words outlive you.