The American Numismatic Association will recognize Anthony Terranova with its highest service award and induct Louis E. Eliasberg Sr. and Benjamin G. Green into its Hall of Fame during the 2026 World's Fair of Money in Pittsburgh
The American Numismatic Association (ANA) has announced that three influential figures in U.S. numismatics will be recognized at the 2026 World's Fair of Money, scheduled for August 25-29 in Pittsburgh. Anthony Terranova, a leading specialist in early American coins, will receive the Chester L. Krause Memorial Distinguished Service Award, the ANA's highest individual honor. At the same event, legendary collector Louis E. Eliasberg Sr. and early 20th-century dealer Benjamin G. Green will be inducted into the ANA Numismatic Hall of Fame.
The awards will be presented during the ANA's 135th Anniversary Banquet at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, highlighting the organization's ongoing commitment to honoring those who have shaped the field of coin collecting and research in the United States.
Terranova's Dual Recognition in ANA History
Anthony Terranova's recognition in 2026 marks a unique moment in ANA history. Having already received the Farran Zerbe Memorial Award for Distinguished Service in 2011-then the association's top honor-Terranova will now be honored under the award's new name, following its 2022 renaming for numismatic publisher Chester L. Krause. This dual recognition reflects both the continuity and evolution of the ANA's approach to honoring service and scholarship in numismatics.
Terranova's career spans nearly five decades, during which he has become known for his expertise in Colonial and early federal coinage. He began collecting as a teenager and entered the professional coin business in the mid-1970s. Over the years, he has built a reputation for identifying overlooked value, mentoring new collectors, and supporting numismatic institutions, including the American Numismatic Society and the Smithsonian's National Numismatic Collection. Terranova continues to work from his Manhattan office, often alongside his son, and is recognized for his straightforward approach and deep knowledge of the field.
Eliasberg and Green: Hall of Fame Inductees
Alongside Terranova's award, the ANA will induct Louis E. Eliasberg Sr. (1896-1976) and Benjamin G. Green (1860-1914) into its Numismatic Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame, established in 1969 at the ANA's Colorado Springs headquarters, recognizes individuals who have made lasting contributions as collectors, dealers, researchers, or leaders in the hobby.
Louis E. Eliasberg Sr. is widely regarded as the only collector to have assembled a complete collection of every regular-issue United States coin by date, denomination, and mintmark known to collectors at the time. He achieved this milestone in November 1950 with the acquisition of the unique 1873-CC No Arrows Liberty Seated dime. Eliasberg's collection, notable for both its completeness and quality, was exhibited publicly-including a major display at the Philadelphia Mint during the U.S. Bicentennial in 1976, which drew over 1.5 million visitors. After his death, the collection was dispersed through a series of landmark auctions, but the Eliasberg name remains a benchmark for pedigree and completeness in American numismatics.
Benjamin G. Green played a pivotal role in developing the organized coin market in early 20th-century Chicago. Between 1902 and 1914, Green conducted 84 numismatic auctions, including sales at ANA conventions in 1907 and 1911. He also published the Numismatist's Reference and Check Book in 1902, providing collectors with a practical guide to U.S. coins before the era of standardized references. Green served as ANA librarian, curator, and board member, and was active in local numismatic societies. His collecting interests extended to Masonic mark pennies and encased postage stamps, and he was remembered for his fairness and willingness to help others in the hobby.
Facts and Figures: ANA Awards and Numismatic Milestones
The ANA's Chester L. Krause Memorial Distinguished Service Award, previously known as the Farran Zerbe Memorial Award, is presented annually to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding service to the association and the wider numismatic community. The ANA Numismatic Hall of Fame, established in 1969, inducts new members each year under Modern Era and Historic Era criteria. Louis E. Eliasberg Sr.'s collection, completed in 1950, remains the only known instance of a collector assembling every regular-issue U.S. coin by date and mintmark. Benjamin G. Green's 84 auctions between 1902 and 1914 helped establish Chicago as a major center for coin collecting and trade.
Legacy and Institutional Impact
The recognition of Terranova, Eliasberg, and Green at the 2026 World's Fair of Money underscores the diverse ways individuals have shaped American numismatics. While Green contributed to building the infrastructure of the organized hobby, Eliasberg set a standard for completeness and public engagement, and Terranova continues to bridge scholarship, mentorship, and professional dealing. The ANA's evolving awards and Hall of Fame reflect the changing landscape of numismatics, where both historical achievement and ongoing service are valued. For collectors, dealers, and researchers, these honors highlight the importance of institutional memory and the role of individuals in preserving and interpreting the nation's monetary history.
Numismatic awards and halls of fame serve not only to recognize individual achievement but also to reinforce the standards and values of the collecting community. The ANA's approach-combining annual service awards with a permanent Hall of Fame-illustrates how institutions can balance the recognition of contemporary contributions with the preservation of historical legacies. As numismatics continues to evolve, such honors help maintain continuity, encourage scholarship, and foster a sense of shared purpose among collectors and professionals alike.
