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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 14, 2003
CONTACT: Stephen L. Bobbitt
Telephone 719/632-2646 x113
E-mail pr@money.org
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Charles J. Ricard, Charles N. Ricard and
the Lighthouse Family
Receive ANA's 2003 Farran Zerbe Award
The medal for this year's recipient of the American Numismatic
Association's (ANA) Farran Zerbe Memorial Award for Distinguished Service
is inscribed to Charles J. Ricard, Charles N. Ricard and the Lighthouse
Family. When Charles J. Ricard accepts the Association's highest honor on
August 2, he will proudly represent three generations of collectors and a
century of contributions to the ANA.
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John C. Lighthouse (1844-1909)
The family's numismatic story begins just prior to the Civil War
with J.C. Lighthouse--a successful businessman from Rochester, New York,
who operated a leather manufacturing and tanning firm, and was awarded a
government contract for his invention of the U.S. Mail pouch.
Lighthouse began collecting coins in 1860 and eventually used his
wealth to assemble a fabulous numismatic collection of 21,572 items that
included 660 U.S. proof coins. He hosted monthly coin discussions in his
home, and he numbered among his guests the award^'s namesake, numismatist
Farran Zerbe.
On the invitation of Association founder George F. Heath and
General Secretary Howland Wood, Lighthouse joined the ANA 100 years ago
this year as member #479. Lighthouse faithfully exhibited at annual ANA
conventions and was considered a founder of numismatic education. He served
on the ANA Board of Trustees from 1904 to 1907. |
Charles N. Ricard (1895-1978)
Encouraged by his grandfather, Charles N. Ricard (born Napolean
Charles Ricard) began collecting coins and medals at the age of 9. His
collection eventually included unique colonial coins and medals, and rare
U.S. gold, silver and bronze coins, claiming many rarities among his
Canadian coins, medals and tokens.
A long-term member of the ANA and the Canadian Numismatic
Association, Charles N. Ricard is best remembered by fellow hobbyists as a
founder of the Token & Medal Society (TAMS) and president of the Cleveland
Coin Club. |  |
 | Charles J. Ricard
(1930-) Great-grandson of J.C. Lighthouse and nephew
of Charles N. Ricard,
Charles J. Ricard began collecting in 1938 almost by accident. His uncle
gave him an 1880 silver dollar to comfort him after emergency surgery on
his right hand, which was crushed in a car door.
Charles J. Ricard first attended meetings of the Rochester
Numismatic Association (RNA) as a guest, was elected a junior member of the
RNA in 1948, and in 1960 become the first junior club member and youngest
person to hold the office of president. Today the club's senior member, he
is a recipient of the RNA Long Service Medal and Numismatist of the Year
Award.
Attending his first ANA convention in 1947, Charles J. Ricard, like
his uncle and great grandfather, joined the ANA, serving as Club, District
and Regional Representative under seven ANA presidents; chairman of the
Audit Committee; Financial Advisor; and member of the ANA Centennial
Celebration Committee Advisory Council, and Club Publications Awards,
Visual Education and National Coin Week Committees. He is a recipient of
the Association's Glenn Smedley Award, Medal of Merit, Lifetime Achievement
Award, Presidential Award, Heath Literary Award and Burton Saxton Exhibit
Award.
Named a Numismatic Ambassador by Numismatic News in 1987,
Charles J. Ricard was recognized by the Professional Numismatists Guild for
his
participation in the Roosevelt University Numismatic Program; served on the
1965 U.S. Assay Commission; and received a 1985 Freedoms Foundation Award
for Published Works. He has been active in local, national and
international organizations, serving as president of the North Shore Coin
Club, TAMS, and La Société Americaine pour L'Étude de la
Numismatic Française; and vice president of the Society for U.S.
Commemorative Coins.
He is a fellow of the Royal Numismatic Society, and a member of the
Numismatic Literary Guild, Central States Numismatic Society, American
Numismatic Society and Medal Collectors of America. He is the only person
to have held the presidencies of both the Chicago Coin Club and Rochester
Numismatic Association.
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The ANA expresses its thanks for a century of contributions by
Ricard, his uncle and great grandfather. It is fortunate that George Heath
and Howland Wood encouraged J.C. Lighthouse to join the ANA 100 years ago!
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