Larry Gentile Sr. commended as extraordinary adult advisor
Each year, the American Numismatic Association (ANA) recognizes with its Outstanding Adult Advisor Award a member whose work in encouraging and assisting young numismatists (YNs) is particularly noteworthy.
However, in lieu of that award, the ANA presented Larry Gentile Sr. of New Rochelle, New York, with a special Adult Supervisor Award in recognition of his “Extraordinary Achievement and Outstanding Encouragement of Young Numismatists.” Past ANA Vice President Scott Travers made the presentation on the ANA’s behalf at a Westchester County Coin Club (WCCC) meeting in White Plains, New York, in late May.
Gentile became a collector at age 10, when his father gave him and his brother a box of old United States and world coins. A hitch in the Navy, which sent him all over the world, further spurred his numismatic interests.
As a member of the host club for the 1976 ANA Anniversary Convention in New York City, Gentile was asked to help with the YN programs. While he took on the challenge in an effort to keep his own son interested in the hobby, the experience launched Gentile’s enthusiastic program to help and encourage young collectors. He quickly was filling rooms at coin shows with YNs engaged in activities designed for novices and seasoned collectors.
For more than 20 years, Gentile has tirelessly mentored young collectors. For many years, he has served as the Young Numismatists Coordinator for the ANA’s Regional Representative Program and has conducted YN educational programs at conventions for the ANA, New England Numismatic Association (NENA), Great Eastern Numismatic Association (GENA), Middle Atlantic Numismatic Association (MANA) and the combined organization – Eastern States Numismatic Association (ESNA) – as well as the Long Island Expo, Westchester Coin & Stamp Show and New York International Numismatic Convention.
In addition to his work with young numismatists, Gentile is an avid exhibitor, who has won more than 150 awards. He also has served on the boards of NENA, GENA and ESNA, as treasurer of the WCCC and as president of the White Plains Coin Club. Already honored as the ANA’s Outstanding Adult Advisor in 1980 and again in 1988, Gentile was named the Association’s Outstanding Club Representative in 1983 and 1994. In 1997, he received the Glenn Smedley Memorial Award and in 1998 the ANA Medal of Merit. In 1982 Gentile was named a Numismatic Ambassador by Numismatic News.
In bestowing this special Adult Supervisor Award to Larry Gentile Sr., the American Numismatic Association expresses the sincere appreciation of its members for his service.
Originally Release Date: August 11, 2001
ANA Contacts: Phone: 719-482-9872
Email: pr@money.org