Deisher Receives Bowers Award
The Central States Numismatic Society (CSNS) has bestowed its annual Q. David Bowers Award this year to numismatic journalist Beth Deisher of Sylvania, Ohio. She served as editor of Coin World for 27 years until her retirement in 2012.
During 2017 and 2018, Deisher served the Industry Council for Tangible Assets as director of anti-counterfeiting, developing and leading a task force that created educational programs and training courses to assist federal law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of those importing and trafficking in counterfeit coins flowing from China into the United States. In 2019, she led the successful transition of the task force into the nonprofit Anti-Counterfeiting Educational Foundation, now operating under the auspices of the Professional Numismatists Guild.
The annual CSNS Bowers Award recognizes unselfish devotion, scholarly contributions, and investments of time and resources made to the hobby by numismatic professionals.
“For whatever reason, the professional side of the hobby is often overlooked when awards and recognitions are handed out,” said Mitch Ernst, president of CSNS. “When I proposed the creation of this award in 2019, I thought it important that Central States take the lead in recognizing the contributions made by the numismatic professionals of our hobby.”
“Beth’s leadership and her unrelenting, thoughtful and trusted work as Coin World editor, and as the author or editor of important numismatic books, helped build and support a solid foundation for the hobby into the 21st century,” said Larry Shepherd, CSNS convention manager. “Beth is one of the people I look up to and respect the most in our hobby, for her vast knowledge, her courage and her unwavering integrity. Her impact on numismatics has been immeasurable.”
Named after well-known dealer and prolific numismatic author Q. David Bowers, recipients of the annual lifetime achievement award are chosen by the CSNS Convention Committee.
“I thank the Central States Numismatic Society for this recognition and for its leadership in the numismatic community,” said Deisher. “It is especially meaningful to receive its Q. David Bowers Award because Dave Bowers was one of my earliest mentors in numismatics and has remained a great friend for more than 40 years. From Dave and many others within organizations such as Central States, I learned that it’s not enough to simply acquire coins, paper money or medals. Rather, it’s sharing the stories of who, when, where, what and how behind each that brings meaning and purpose to our endeavors. For being accorded the privileges of researching, writing and getting to know so many interesting and generous people in the numismatic community, I am truly grateful.”
The award was set to be presented to Deisher April 30 during the Central States convention in Schaumburg, Ill.