Six Rising-Star Young Numismatists Awarded 2026 PNG nexGen Scholarships to ANA Summer Seminar

The Professional Numismatists Guild, with generous support from eBay and the National Silver Dollar Roundtable, awarded six scholarships to talented young numismatists as part of PNG’s nexGen annual scholarship program, supporting the growth and integrity of the numismatic community. Recipients will each attend a week-long session of the American Numismatic Association 2026 Summer Seminar in Colorado.

Launched in 2023, the nexGen program assists future coin dealers by connecting interested young adults with mentors and uses PNG’s resources to build relationships with numismatic organizations worldwide.

“This year, with the support of eBay for five scholarships and the National Silver Dollar Roundtable for one, PNG has increased the number of nexGen scholarships awarded – reflecting our shared commitment to elevating and expanding the field of numismatics. The recipients reflect the passion of this discipline, and we’re proud to support their ambitions,” said PNG Executive Director John Feigenbaum.

“eBay has long been a destination for coin collectors and dealers, with an incredible array of inventory spanning history and the globe,” said Luci Yang, Senior Director and General Manager of US Collectibles at eBay. “We’re happy to support the next generation that is not only continuing the tradition of coin dealing, but is innovating for the future of numismatics.”

“This scholarship reflects the National Silver Dollar Roundtable’s ongoing commitment to promoting education, professional development, and integrity within the numismatic community. By supporting emerging professionals through initiatives such as the ANA Summer Seminar scholarship, the NSDR continues to foster excellence and advance the study and appreciation of numismatics,” said NSDR Board Member and PNG President James Sego.

This year’s Summer Seminar sessions on the campus of Colorado College near ANA headquarters in Colorado Springs, Colorado, will be conducted June 21-26 and June 28-July 3. The scholarships will cover airfare, tuition for one of the week-long sessions, meals, and dormitory accommodations.

This year’s six recipients are:

Rene Alvarenga, 22, of Dallas, Texas

Rene began collecting Wheat Cents he found in change at a sandwich shop his parents owned in California. He has worked at coin companies in Florida and California, and is currently a Junior Numismatist at Heritage Auctions in Dallas.

“While at the 2026 ANA Summer Seminar, I would like to learn more about the insights of collecting and investing in silver dollars since my primary duties at Heritage involve grading and sorting bulk silver dollars for sale to our clients, and also since I am a seasoned silver dollar collector myself. Also, I am looking to learn more about how to detect artificial toning and doctored surfaces on coins, which I can apply to my evolving grading skills, and to prevent myself from accidentally purchasing a ‘problem’ coin, since I am also a seasoned collector of toned silver dollars as well,” he explained.

Jacob Nathaniel Gonzalez, 20, of Weslaco, Texas

Jacob became interested in numismatics after coming across his grandmother’s old leather pouch containing older U.S. coins with designs he didn’t recognize.

“That discovery sparked my curiosity and ultimately fueled my continued and growing involvement in the field,” he recalled.

He is a Criminal Justice and Legal Studies graduate of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, has worked as a coin dealer, and plans to go to law school.

“At Summer Seminar, I am especially interested in honing my skills in grading and authentication of both U.S. and world coins. I look forward to doing so by taking courses taught by Bill Shamhart and Andrew Chipman on this subject,” explained Gonzalez.

Benjamin Alexander Kagay, 18, of Katy, Texas

Benjamin began his numismatic journey in 2020 when his uncle took him to his first coin show in Houston and bought him an 1883 No Cents “Racketeer” Nickel and a Confederate States of America $10 banknote. A student at the University of Oklahoma, he will be working this summer at U.S. Coins and Jewelry in Houston. He is the recipient of the National Silver Dollar Roundtable scholarship.

“At the ANA Summer Seminar, I will take the class, ‘A Study in the Grading of U.S. and World Coins.’ I hope to build upon my coin grading skills so that I can better appreciate the coins I collect,” said Kagay.

“Benjamin is a dedicated young numismatist who regularly deals in silver dollars and recently presented the exhibit ‘Sub-1 Million Minted Morgan Dollars’ at the Houston Money Show,” stated PNG President Sego.

David Vitaly Khaskin, 24, of Austin, Texas

David is a graduate of the University of Florida who became “hooked forever” in numismatics at the age of six when his grandfather gave him a Wheat Cent album.

“I am looking forward to taking the Counterfeit Detection of United States Coins course at the ANA Summer Seminar,” he said.

Marc Vazsonyi, 22, of Lexington, Kentucky

Marc started collecting Wheat Cents around the age of seven, fascinated by their design and the rarity of different dates and mints. His grandmother was also an important influence on the start of his collecting journey, often showing him old silver and gold coins when he visited her in Switzerland.

“This further fueled my interest in numismatics and gave me exposure to world coins very early on,” he said.

Marc will graduate from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Mathematical Economics in May. During college, he interned with former PNG President Jeff Garrett at Mid-American Rare Coin Galleries in Lexington, Kentucky.

“I hope to further my knowledge on ancient coins through a course taught by Classical Numismatic Group’s Dave Michaels at the ANA Summer Seminar,” he said.

Jessica Evabella Withersfield, 20, of Grand Rapids, Michigan

Jessica began collecting as a youngster and reignited her interest in numismatics when she recently began working at Grand Rapids Coins.

“I'm most interested in learning more about being a dealer and how to be a great one at that. I love acquiring knowledge, and this is such a vast field. There's always more to learn,” she stated.

Her Summer Seminar course wish list includes Grading U.S. Coins 1; Counterstamps: Coins that Tell Their Own Story; Auction World 101: An Insider Perspective; How to Sell Coins on eBay Live, Whatnot, and Instagram; Counterfeit Detection of U.S. Coins; Advanced Coin Dealing; and a beginner coin dealing course.

“My absolute favorite would have to be ‘Making Money the Medieval Way’! I do blacksmithing, and making my own coin would be so interesting and familiar in a good way!” she added.

For additional information about the Professional Numismatists Guild, visit online at www.PNGdealers.org or call (951) 587-8300, and for information about the PNG’s nexGen mentorship program, visit www.PNGdealers.org/png-nexgen.

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