Charles J. Ricard, Charles N. Ricard and the Lighthouse Family recieve 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.
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.
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!
Originally Release Date: July 14, 2003
ANA Contacts: Phone: 719-482-9872
Email: pr@money.org