Prominent rare coin and precious metals dealer Michael Fuljenz of Beaumont, Texas, an NRA Golden Ring of Freedom member, is the 2023 recipient of the highest honor bestowed by the Congressionally-chartered American Numismatic Association, the largest organization of coin collecting enthusiasts in the United States.
The association presented the organization’s 2023 Chester L. Krause Distinguished Service Award to him at the World’s Fair of Money in Pittsburgh, Pa., on August 11.
According to the association, the “highest honor conferred by the ANA, the Chester L. Krause Distinguished Service Award, is given in recognition of numerous years of outstanding, dedicated service to numismatics.” Fuljenz also was recognized with the association’s 2023 Philanthropy Award. In 2021, he was named Dealer of the Year and he received the organization’s Medal of Merit in 2014.
“No recognition like this happens without the tremendous support of many others in the American Numismatic Association, in the hobby and profession, and my wonderful family. I sincerely thank all those who have helped me help others,” said Fuljenz, who is known as America’s Gold Expert.
A cover story about the award in the August 2023 issue of the association's monthly magazine, The Numismatist, states: "Crime fighter Mike Fuljenz is as much an advocate for the Golden Rule as he is for all things related to precious metals... His unflagging efforts to eradicate numismatic crime, campaign for collectors’ rights, provide fiduciary support for educational programs, and spread the joy of the hobby are a testament to his upstanding character."
Fuljenz co-sponsored the NRA Foundation banquet for many years and currently co-sponsors the prayer breakfast. He has been a featured speaker at NRA Freedom First Financial Seminars and also is a benefactor for the Eddie Eagle GunSafe program.
In addition to the two recent awards from the American Numismatic Association, Fuljenz also received at the World's Fair of Money prestigious awards from the Numismatic Literary Guild (NLG), an organization founded in 1968 and composed of top editors, writers and content producers in the coin collecting community worldwide. His reference work, Type Two Double Eagles 1866-1876, a Numismatic History and Analysis, was named best investment book, and he received the NLG's 2023 Best Column Award.
He has received dozens of awards from the Press Club of Southeast Texas and the NLG for his four books, weekly newsletters, and television and radio appearances about rare coins and precious metals.
Over the years, Fuljenz has also received awards from the Professional Numismatists Guild and the National Coin and Bullion Association for his consumer protection work combatting counterfeits in the marketplace. He has been a significant contributor to consumer alerts released by the Federal Trade Commission, the Attorney General of Texas, and the Better Business Bureau.
Active in many community, education and youth sports groups in Beaumont, Fuljenz currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the local Crime Stoppers organization. McNeese State University recognized his literary, business and civic achievements and decades of service to the university by presenting him with an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters in 2015.
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