September 8, 2011 – The American Numismatic Society is pleased to announce the honorees for the 2012 Dinner Gala. The recipient of the Trustees’ Award is Harlan J. Berk. The recipient of the inaugural Distinguished Service Award is Frederic G. Withington. Mr. Berk and Mr. Withington will be honored on Thursday, January 5th, 2012 at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City.
Each year the Annual Dinner Gala raises thousands of dollars for the American Numismatic Society. Gala proceeds are put to effective use in furthering the goals and building upon the rich traditions of the ANS. Highlights of the evening include live and silent auctions, dinner, and dancing to the always entertaining Lester Lanin Orchestra. Past honorees include such notable numismatists as Mr. Ira Goldberg, Mr. Larry Goldberg, Mr. Victor England, Jr., Mr. Harvey Stack, Mr. Donald G. Partrick, Mr. Q. David Bowers, and Mr. Chester L. Krause.
ANS Fellow Harlan Berk will be honored for his many contributions to the ANS and to the field of numismatics. Mr. Berk is the founder and president of both Harlan J. Berk Ltd. and Gemini Numismatic Auctions. He has served as president, vice president, treasurer and secretary of the Professional Numismatists Guild. He has published over 100 articles and several award-winning books including Roman Gold Coins of the Medieval World, Eastern Roman Sucessors of the Sestertius and 100 Greatest Ancient Coins, earning accolades from the Numismatic Literary Guild.
Mr. Berk has taught at multiple ANA summer seminars and has given countless talks to coin clubs throughout the country. He was the recipient of such distinguished awards as the ANA Presidential Award and the PNG Lifetime Achievement award. He has been a member of the ANS since 1974, was a founding member of the Augustus B. Sage Society, and has been a regular sponsor of the ANS Gala.
This year we are delighted to introduce the ANS Distinguished Service Award, which has been created to recognize the outstanding contributions of an ANS volunteer or staff member. Frederic G. Withington, ANS Life Fellow, has been a member and volunteer since 1988. He has been an active participant in cataloging the ANS Collection for well over a decade and has seen the Society through moves from Audubon Terrace to Fulton Street to its current location at 75 Varick. His unselfish commitment to the goals of the organization in helping to make the resources of the Society available serves as an inspiration to all those who follow.
Gala sponsorship, program advertising, and other promotional opportunities are available. To contact Megan Fenselau in the Membership Office click here.
For more information on the ANS visit its site.