Heritage Auctions (www.HA.com) has donated an additional $50,000 to the American Numismatic Association (www.money.org) to endow a scholarship fund in honor of the late Pennsylvania collector Gene Gardner. The Eugene H. Gardner ANA Young Numismatist Scholarship Fund was established in 2014 with an initial donation of $7,500 from Heritage
Gardner passed away in Lancaster, Pennsylvania on July 16 at the age of 80. Heritage sold Gardner’s collection of over 3,000 U.S. coins in a series of record-setting auctions in 2014 and 2015.
“The Eugene H. Gardner Scholarship Fund provides two young numismatist scholarships each year. The scholarships are awarded to the YN Auction Head, one for each week of the two annual Summer Seminar sessions on the campus of Colorado College, site of the ANA headquarters and museum in Colorado Springs, Colorado,” explained ANA Executive Director Kim Kiick.
“The ANA’s mission is numismatic education, and this is a great educational experience for these young collectors,” said Kiick.
“Gene Gardner was one of the most beloved collectors of our time. But he was not ‘just’ a collector. He was a dedicated numismatist and among the finest gentlemen in numismatics,” stated Heritage Auctions President Greg Rohan. “He told me two years ago he was graciously honored when the scholarship fund was established in his name, and now this fund will be a continuing legacy to his devotion to numismatic education.”
During each of the annual Summer Seminar sessions a young numismatist is selected as Auction Head to actively assist and help manage the YN auction, one of the highlights of each session.
“The Auction Head ensures the auction is successfully organized and produced. This includes encouraging group cooperation and upholding the education mission of the Summer Seminar YN Scholarship Program,” explained Susan McMillan, ANA Seminar Director.
In addition to the endowment from Heritage Auctions, the Gardner Fund also receives donations from other ANA members. Tax deductible contributions may be sent to ANA-Eugene Gardner Fund, 818 N. Cascade Avenue, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80903.