National Coin & Bullion Association honors legislative advocates at August 2026 awards dinner

This article is based on a Numismatic News article published on September 2, 2026. The ceremony took place on August 26, 2026.

The National Coin & Bullion Association (NCBA) held its annual membership dinner and awards ceremony on August 26, 2026, at Monterey Bay Fish Grotto in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The event was held in conjunction with the American Numismatic Association's 2026 World's Fair of Money and brought together dealers, collectors, industry executives and legislative advocates from across the country.

An award in Heller's name

One highlight of the evening was the presentation of the inaugural Patrick A. Heller Legislative Champion Award to longtime industry advocate Patrick A. Heller. The award was renamed this year in recognition of Heller's decades of volunteer service and leadership on state-level campaigns seeking sales-tax exemptions for coins, paper money and precious-metals bullion.

Heller played a major role in successful exemption efforts and legislative advocacy campaigns in Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin and Wyoming. In the last year, he has been involved in campaigns in Alaska, Colorado, Maryland, Nebraska, New York and Virginia.

Awards for the 2026 legislative session

The association also recognized individuals and organizations for their contributions to legislative efforts during the 2026 session.

- Ashley Sandoval: Diane Piret Outstanding Service Award, for leading Colorado's successful effort to preserve the state's sales-tax exemption on coins and bullion. - Colorado Professional Numismatists Association: Patrick A. Heller Legislative Champion Award, for coordinating grassroots advocacy in Colorado. President Tom Hallenbeck accepted the award. - Brett Stelfox: Diane Piret Outstanding Service Award, for supporting passage of Maryland Senate Bill 309, which expanded Maryland's precious-metals sales-tax exemption statewide. - Whitman Expos: Patrick A. Heller Legislative Champion Award, for supporting Maryland's coalition effort. Chief operating officer Michael Pfeiffer accepted the award. - Pat Moran: Diane Piret Outstanding Service Award, for helping lead efforts to preserve Nebraska's exemption during debate over Legislative Bill 1244. - Scott Hunt and William "Bill" Panitch: each received the Diane Piret Outstanding Service Award for advocacy opposing New York Senate Bill S7875. Doug deWysocki accepted Hunt's award on his behalf. - John Brush: Diane Piret Outstanding Service Award, for leadership in Virginia's successful campaign to extend its bullion and legal-tender sales-tax exemption.

Lifetime award for Hanlon

The evening ended with the James U. Blanchard Lifetime Achievement Award for Terry Hanlon, recognizing nearly six decades of leadership and service in the precious-metals and numismatic industries.

Hanlon helped build Dallas Gold and Silver into an industry leader before joining Dillon Gage in 1987 to launch Dillon Gage Metals, where he served as president. Under his leadership, the company grew into one of the nation's largest diversified precious-metals enterprises. Hanlon was chairman of NCBA, then called the Industry Council for Tangible Assets, from 1995 to 1998, and he remains a board member.

"The individuals and organizations recognized this year represent the very best of our industry," NCBA executive director David Crenshaw said.

The dinner and awards ceremony is held each year during the ANA World's Fair of Money.

Source: Numismatic News, "National Coin & Bullion Association Honors Industry Leaders During Annual Membership Dinner and Awards Ceremony" (September 2, 2026).