PR: 2003 Medal of Merit Awards

American Numismatic Association

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 1, 2003

CONTACT: Stephen Bobbitt
Telephone: 719/632-2646 x113
E-mail
2003 MEDAL OF MERIT AWARDS

Each year, the American Numismatic Association (ANA) awards its Medal
of Merit in recognition of numerous years of dedicated, outstanding
service to the Association.
At the ANA's 112th Anniversary Convention Membership Reception in
Baltimore, the prestigious award--including a certificate and an engraved,
silver medal--was bestowed on four long-time supporters: Lee H. Gong of
Santa Rosa, California; Thomas G. Hallenbeck of Colorado springs,
Colorado; Jerry Morgan of St. Louis, Missouri; and David M. Sundman of
Littleton, New Hampshire.
Lee H. Gong has served the California numismatic community on behalf
of young numismatists for more than a decade, motivating, educating and
instilling leadership qualities in young collectors of all ages. During
that time, he chaired the Combined Organizations of Numismatic Error
Collectors of America (CONECA) Youth Activities Committee, developing
strategies to attract and retain young collectors of all levels of
interest and leadership.
In 1990, Gong organized and now provides guidance for the young
numismatist (YN) branch of the Redwood Coin Club of Santa Rosa. He has
worked in YN activities at a number of local coin shows, including those
in Fairfield, Vallejo, Sacramento Valley, Redwood and Santa Rosa; and at
the ANA's 1999 National Money Show in Sacramento. Recognized for his
efforts by many organizations, he is the recipient of the ANA Outstanding
Adult Advisor Award and Glenn Smedley Memorial Award.
Thomas G. Hallenbeck entered the numismatic hobby under the influence
of his father, Kenneth Hallenbeck, who is an ANA past president and
recipient of the Association's Farran Zerbe Memorial Award for
Distinguished Service. When only 12 years old, Tom Hallenbeck served as
editor for the Ft. Wayne (Indiana) Coin Club newsletter. After moving to
Colorado Springs, Colorado, with his family, he continued his involvement
in local clubs. He has served as president of local and state numismatic
organizations and has revived the Colorado Professional Numismatic
Association. He was a member of the ANA Board of Governors from 1997 to
2001.
Hallenbeck served as general chairman of the ANA's 1996 convention in
Denver, Colorado, and led the successful fight to repeal the state's sales
tax on the sale of collectible coins. An ANA Summer Seminar instructor and
Numismatic Theatre presenter, he operates Hallenbeck Coin Gallery in
Colorado Springs.
Jerry L. Morgan has been a great friend of the ANA and the numismatic
hobby for many years, promoting both with great enthusiasm. He was
especially supportive of the ANA's building fund campaign, giving time and
effort, and he worked diligently to repeal the Missouri sales tax on
collectible coins
A life member of the ANA, Morgan is president of the Missouri
Numismatic Society. He received the ANA's Presidential Award (2001) and
Glenn Smedley Memorial Award (2002), and was named National Silver Dollar
Man of the Year (2001).
David M. Sundman followed in the numismatic footsteps of his father,
Maynard Sundman, who started a small stamp and coin mail-order business in
1945 in Littleton, New Hampshire, after service in World War II. As the
business grew, the stamp and coin operations separated, and David Sundman
took over as president of the company in 1987. Today, the firm reaches
more than 100,000 collectors across the country. In the interest of
educating his employees about numismatics, he has arranged for ANA grading
seminars on Littleton Coin Company's premises.
Sundman, a great supporter of the ANA, repeatedly has been recognized
as the top membership recruiter, signing up nearly 1,300 people in one
year. A regular student at the ANA's annual Summer Seminar, he has
volunteered his time as a Numismatic Theatre presenter and has contributed
material for the Association's young numismatist Treasure Trivia Game and
supported other educational and promotional efforts at ANA conventions.
In bestowing its Medal of Merit on Lee H. Gong, Thomas G. Hallenbeck,
Jerry Morgan and David M. Sundman, the American Numismatic Association
expresses the sincere appreciation of its members for their service to the
hobby.