2026 NLG Awards Rules & Submission Info
Below you will find the entry information, categories and deadlines for the 2026 Numismatic Literary Guild’s (NLG) annual contest for numismatic writers, bloggers, authors, editors, podcasters and other content creators who are current NLG members. With the exception of the category for “Best Numismatic News or Feature Article in a Non-Numismatic Publication,” the contest is open to NLG members only.
However, if you are interested in joining the NLG, we would love to have you as a member. The membership dues are $15 per year, plus a one-time application fee of $25 in addition to the dues, for a total of $40.
The Numismatic Literary Guild (NLG) is a nonprofit organization composed of editors, authors, writers, bloggers and content producers who cover news and feature stories about all forms of money, medals and tokens as collectibles.
To be eligible for consideration in any of the NLG contest categories, entries must have been published, released or posted on the Internet between May 1, 2025, and April 30, 2026. One copy of each entry must be submitted for consideration and each copy must also be accompanied by a coversheet listing the category and other information specified in the rules. Make sure the actual entrant’s name is apparent on the coversheet. Only one entry is allowed per category per submitter.
The coversheet must contain the following information:
- CATEGORY TITLE
- NAME OF PUBLICATION
- TITLE OF SUBMISSION
- DATE OF PUBLICATION
- NAME, ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL ADDRESS OF THE ENTRANT
- NAME, ADDRESS, TELEPHONE NUMBER AND EMAIL ADDRESS OF AUTHOR IF DIFFERENT FROM THE ENTRANT
All entries must be received no later than Wednesday, June 17, 2026. The entries should be sent to the contest coordinator at the following address:
CAC
Attention: NLG Awards Submission
1420 State Highway 206 – Suite 110
Bedminster, NJ 07921
Winners will be announced and awards presented at the 2025 NLG Awards Luncheon on Thursday, August 21, 2025, at the American Numismatic Association’s World’s Fair of Money® in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
If you submit an entry and cannot be at the awards ceremony in person, PLEASE indicate on your entry coversheets the name of a designated person who can accept your award and deliver it to you. Shipping these awards to the proper recipients is cost-prohibitive and last year, several people didn’t receive their awards until I personally delivered them at the F.U.N. Show in January 2026.
To submit your information to join the Numismatic Literary Guild, please visit https://nlgonline.org/membership-in-the-nlg/
Here are the NLG 2026 Awards Competition categories and criteria:
BOOKS:
Best Specialized Books – One printed copy or digital e-book must be submitted for each entry subcategory. E-books may be present via a web link or USB drive.
1 – United States Coins
2 – World Coins
3 – United States Paper Money
4 – World Paper Money
5 – Tokens & Medals
6 – Numismatic Investments
7 – Numismatic History or Personalities
NUMISMATIC COLUMNS OR ARTICLES:
Best column, Article or Series of Articles – Entries may be in print or online from the U.S. and/or published in overseas numismatic media. One copy (photocopies are okay) of the submission is required with the coversheet.
8 – U.S. Coins to 1900
9 – U.S. Coins 1901 to Date
10 – World Coins, 700 BC to 1299 AD
11 – World Coins, 1300 to 1800
12 – World Coins, 1801 to date
13 – U.S. Paper Money
14 – World Paper Money
15 – Tokens & Medals
16 – Numismatic Spot News, Marketplace, or Analysis
17 – Numismatic History or Personalities
18 – Best Numismatic News or Feature Article In a Non-Numismatic Publication
19 – Best Column or Article Combining Numismatics & Collectible Cryptocurrency
20 – Ed Reiter Memorial Award For Best Column – Numismatic Publications – Submit one copy (photocopies are okay) of three different columns published in a numismatic print publication or online.
21 – The Maurice M. Gould Memorial Award for Best Column – Non-Numismatic Publications – Submit one copy (photocopies are okay) of three different columns. Entries may be submitted by the publisher, editor or columnist of any coin column appearing regularly in any non-numismatic newspaper, magazine or website.
22 – James L. Miller Memorial Award – Article of the Year – This category awards the best feature or news article involving coins, paper money, tokens or medals that was published in print and/or online. To enter, submit a copy of the article you believe is deserving of being named the Article of the Year.
PERIODICALS:
23 – Best Investment Newsletter – The criteria include investment analysis of precious metals and/or rare coins, overall reader appeal, the quality of research, writing and graphics, as applicable. Submit one copy or digital links to three different issues of the newsletter for consideration.
24 – Best Professional Periodical – Please submit one copy of two different issues of the for-profit, professional numismatic publication may be submitted by the publisher or editor of any daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly or annual for-profit numismatic publication in the U.S. or overseas. Criteria include overall numismatic appeal, features, departments, graphics, journalistic and editorial excellence as applicable.
25 – Best Club or Not-for-Profit Periodical – This category is open to any local, regional, national or international nonprofit numismatic organization in the U.S. or overseas. Submit one copy of two different issues of the publication.
AUCTION CATALOGS:
One copy of each catalog is required for entry. Criteria include cover design, overall eye appeal, format, graphics and layout, research and quality of description. Entries may be submitted by an auction firm, auctioneer or cataloger. ONLY ONE CATALOG FROM EACH AUCTION FIRM will be considered in each category. Multiple entries will be disqualified.
26 – Best U.S. Coins Auction Catalog
27 – Best World Coins Auction Catalog
28 – Best Paper Money (U.S. or World) Auction Catalog
29 – Best Exonumia/Americana or Numismatic Literature Auction Catalog
WEBSITES:
30 – Best News or Blog Website – Submit link(s) to the website being considered for this category on the entry coversheet. This award recognizes the best interactive blog that effectively communicates information and personal commentaries about the numismatic hobby.
31 – Best Dealer or Industry Website – Submit link(s) to the homepage of the website being considered for this category on the entry coversheet.
32 – Best Non-Trade Website – This category is for websites maintained by coin clubs and other non-commercial organizations and individuals devoted to the coin hobby. One copy of the website home page and all posted items linked to it at the time the copy is made, submitted by the publisher or editor, are required to accompany this submission.
33 – Best Numismatic Social Media Account – This award will be presented for the best numismatic-themed account posted to a social media platform such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok or YouTube. Entries will be judged on the quality of their content and graphics, as well as audience engagement. Please submit link(s) to the account related to the entry.
DIGITAL MEDIA:
34 – David Lisot Memorial Video Award – This award consists of the best video presentation involving numismatics made for educational purposes. Videos should have been recorded and broadcast on YouTube, other similar platforms or hosted on your website. Entry must include one copy of the video as well as visual materials – either a written script or other materials used in the presentation. These entries can be submitted on a flash drive or by including links on the entry coversheet.
35 – Podcast – Submit your three best podcasts involving numismatics by including links to the entries or a flash drive containing digital files of each session.
36 – Software or App – The best presentation of new numismatic-related software or mobile application published in the App Store or any other electronic format or electronic delivery system. For digitally distributed software or apps, one copy must also be provided, and if the entry is distributed on the Android or Apple store, written instructions must be provided about how to locate and download the app. Each entry must be accompanied by a written statement citing date(s) of first use.
SPECIAL AWARDS:
37 – David W. Lange Memorial Book of the Year Award – The printed or electronic media work having the greatest potential impact on numismatics. Criteria include overall reader appeal, research quality, photographic and graphic excellence, cover and typography, where applicable. Books submitted in the specialized categories are automatically considered for Book of the Year, which is determined by the judges.
38 – Lee Martin Founder’s Award – Best All-Around Portfolio – This is a collection of writings and/or photographs and related items demonstrating numismatic writing ability and versatility published within the contest year. The emphasis is on quality, not quantity and organization and presentation will count as heavily as volume. One copy of the portfolio entry needs to be submitted and can be sent as a PDF file on a flash or thumb drive. Items included in the portfolio may also be submitted in other relevant categories at the entrant’s option.
39 – Clement F. Bailey Memorial Award – This award was endowed by Jim Miller of Miller Magazines in memory of an especially beloved member of the numismatic writing community and NLG founder, Clement F. Bailey. This award recognizes excellence among new writers in numismatics whose first published writings in this field appeared in hobby publications during the previous year. Nominees are supplied solely by numismatic publishers.
40 – The Ribbit – This award recognizes an individual who has achieved prominence in numismatics while maintaining approachability, a sense of humor and essential modesty. The winner is selected by the previous year’s recipient.
41 – The Clemy – The winner of this award, the Guild’s highest honor, is nominated by the previous year’s recipient. The Board will then review and approve the nominee.
NLG will provide up to two plaques for a winning entry. Additional plaques may be requested at the requester’s expense. NLG will provide plaques only for the persons named in an entry when it is originally submitted. Winners living in countries other than the United States will receive certificates and a $50 cash award rather than plaques, unless they confirm they will be present at the awards luncheon.