NCBA Awards Scholarships to Young Numismatists for 2025 ANA Summer Seminar 

The National Coin & Bullion Association (NCBA) is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 Young Numismatists Scholarship for the American Numismatic Association (ANA) Summer Seminar. Zac Ratté and Wes Brush will both attend the immersive, week-long seminar held on the campus of Colorado College in Colorado Springs. The scholarship committee, chaired by Patrick I. Perez, selected these two exceptional young numismatists because of their extraordinary commitment to the study and advancement of numismatics.

Zac Ratté, a rare coin dealer with a deep-rooted passion for history and collecting, has been operating his own numismatic business since the age of 10. His expertise spans US, world, and ancient coins, and he has cultivated a vast network of fellow dealers and collectors. In 2024 alone, Zac sold over $80,000 in rare coins and attended major shows in Baltimore, Pittsburgh, and Orlando. His collecting interests include Buffalo nickels, Roman Imperial coins, Haitian coinage, and materials connected to Black liberation movements. Zac, currently a student at UMass–Amherst, is committed to further developing his professional skills in numismatics.

Wes Brush, a 16-year-old entrepreneur and part-time employee at David Lawrence Rare Coins, has been working to deepen his knowledge of numismatics through hands-on experience and mentorship. His keen interest and growing expertise in coin grading has led him to pursue an advanced numismatic education; this year Wes will attend the Advanced Grading class during the ANA Summer Seminar. Wes has a clear vision for his growth in the hobby and is eager to build on his knowledge and contribute meaningfully to the numismatic community.

Perez shared his confidence in this year’s recipients, stating, “Zac and Wes embody the future of numismatics. Their entrepreneurial spirit and deep engagement with the hobby make them excellent ambassadors for the next generation of collectors. We are proud to support their continued growth.”

David Crenshaw, NCBA’s executive director, added, “This scholarship is a direct investment in the future of our field. Supporting young collectors like Zac and Wes ensures that numismatics will remain vibrant and relevant for years to come.”

The NCBA Young Numismatists Scholarship, open to applicants ages 13 to 22, covers seminar tuition and round-trip airfare. Applications for the 2026 seminar are due by December 31, 2025. Recipients will be notified in January 2026 and announced in an upcoming newsletter.

To apply for next year’s scholarship, visit ncbassoc.org/yn-scholarship.

How to Donate

Contributors to the YN Scholarship program directly sponsor a young numismatist by covering the costs of their seminar fee and round-trip airfare. Payments are made directly to the American Numismatic Association (ANA), a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, allowing contributors to qualify for a tax deduction. This approach enables contributors to make a tangible impact in the life of an aspiring numismatist while also enjoying the benefits of tax-deductible giving.

For more information about the ANA Summer Seminar, please visit money.org/summer-seminar.