2009 NLG Writers’ Competition Rules

Please read the following rules carefully, and follow the directions scrupulously. The judges will do their best to correct obvious mistakes involving the numbering, but entries that fail to conform to the rules (including correct numbering) will be subject to disqualification.

To be eligible for consideration in any of this year's categories, entries must have been published (or posted on the Internet) between May 1, 2008 and April 30, 2009. Three copies of each entry must be submitted, and each copy must be accompanied by a cover sheet listing the category and other information spelled out in the rules.

All entries must be received no later than June 15, 2009. Entries should be sent to the contest coordinator at the following address: Scott A. Travers, c/o Sal Germano, SGRC Inc., 625 Lafayette Ave., Hawthorne, NJ 07506. The address is the same as last year.

As in the past, entries in a number of categories will be judged by editors and other well-qualified individuals outside the numismatic field. This will not affect the manner in which entries are submitted, but it's all the more reason to take special care in preparing a complete cover sheet, as required, to accompany each copy of each entry. This will make the judges' job much easier and ensure that each entry is considered in the proper category.

Books may be submitted by author, publisher or editor. Three (3) copies must be submitted. Eligible are new books or those accepted by the judges at their sole discretion as substantially revised versions of earlier works.

1. BOOK OF THE YEAR

The work having the greatest potential impact on numismatics: Criteria include overall reader appeal, research quality, photographic, printing and graphic excellence, cover and typography where applicable. Books submitted in the specialized categories below may be considered for Book of the Year as well.

BEST SPECIALIZED BOOK ON:

2. United States Coins

3. World Coins

4. U.S. Paper Money

5. World Paper Money

6. Tokens & Medals

7. Numismatic Investments

8. Museum & Exhibition Catalogs

U.S. COMMERCIAL NUMISMATIC MAGAZINES

(Coins, COINage magazine and similar periodicals. Double issues are excluded.)

BEST ARTICLE OR SERIES OF ARTICLES

Three (3) copies of articles dealing with:

9. Coins

10. Tokens & Medals

11. Paper Money

12. BEST COLUMN

Three (3) copies EACH of three (3) selections from ongoing column.

13. BEST ISSUE

Three (3) copies of the issue submitted by the publisher or editor. Criteria include overall numismatic appeal, features, departments, graphics, journalistic and editorial excellence as applicable.

WORLD COMMERCIAL NUMISMATIC MAGAZINES
(World Coin News, The Celator, similar overseas publications.)

BEST ARTICLE OR SERIES OF ARTICLES

Three (3) copies of articles dealing with:

14. Coins

15. Tokens & Medals

16. Paper Money

17. BEST COLUMN

Three (3) copies EACH of three (3) selections from ongoing column.

18. BEST ISSUE

Three (3) copies of the issue submitted by the publisher or editor. Same criteria as Category 13.

LARGE-CIRCULATION AND OTHER NON-PROFIT OR CLUB NUMISMATIC PUBLICATIONS

(National publications and others with a circulation of 20,000 or more, including The Numismatist, The ANS Journal, TAMS Journal and Paper Money.)

19. BEST ARTICLE

Three (3) copies of articles dealing with any subject related to numismatics (ONE Award).

20. BEST COLUMN

Three (3) copies EACH of (3) selections from ongoing column.

21. BEST ISSUE

Three (3) copies of the issue submitted by publisher or editor. Same criteria as Category 13.

SMALL-CIRCULATION AND OTHER NON-PROFIT OR CLUB NUMISMATIC PUBLICATIONS

(State, regional and local publications and others with a circulation of less than 20,000.)

22. BEST ARTICLE

Three (3) copies of articles dealing with any subject related to numismatics (ONE Award).

23. BEST COLUMN

Three (3) copies EACH of (3) selections from ongoing column.

24. BEST ISSUE

Three (3) copies of the issue submitted by the publisher or editor. Same criteria as Category 13.

NUMISMATIC NEWSPAPERS

25. BEST SPOT NEWS STORY

or continuing coverage of a developing story in numismatics.

BEST ARTICLE OR SERIES OF ARTICLES

Three (3) copies of articles dealing with:

26. Coins

27. Tokens & Medals

28. Paper Money

29. BEST COLUMN

Three (3) copies EACH of (3) selections from ongoing column.

30. BEST ISSUE
Three (3) copies of the issue submitted by the publisher or editor. Same criteria as Category 13.

NON-NUMISMATIC NEWSPAPERS AND MAGAZINES

31. THE MAURICE M. GOULD MEMORIAL AWARD

Entries may be submitted by publisher, editor or columnist of any coin column appearing regularly in any non-numismatic newspaper or magazine of any size circulation.

32. BEST ARTICLE

Three (3) copies of articles dealing with any subject related to numismatics.

COMPUTER SOFTWARE AND INTERNET WEB SITES

33. BEST WEB SITE ARTICLE

Three (3) printouts of an article appearing on a Web site dealing with any subject related to numismatics.

34. BEST DEALER WEB SITE

This category is for Web sites that are used to buy or sell coins, offer supplies or sell books or other forms of information related to numismatics. For static sites, submit the URL. For sites that change, submit three (3) hard copies of the home page.

35. BEST NON-COMMERCIAL WEB SITE

This category is for Web sites maintained by coin clubs and other non-commercial organizations and individuals devoted to the coin hobby. For static sites, submit the URL. For sites that change, submit three (3) hard copies of the home page.

36. BEST TRADE PRESS AND INFORMATION WEB SITE

This award will be presented for the best numismatic Web site that disseminates news and other information about the coin hobby. For static sites, submit the URL. For sites that change, submit three (3) hard copies of the home page.

37. BEST NON-NUMISMATIC PRESS WEB SITE

This award will be presented for the best numismatic Web site produced by a non-numismatic news organization. Editorial content from members of the hobby press is acceptable. For static sites, submit the URL. For sites that change, submit three (3) hard copies of the home page.

38. SOFTWARE

Best presentation of a new numismatic work, or new presentation of a previously published numismatic work in CD ROM, DVD, floppy disk or any other electronic format. Only one copy of the work need be submitted. Entry must be accompanied by a written statement citing date(s) of first use, plus information required by NLG rules above.

AUCTION CATALOGS

Three (3) copies of each catalog entered. Criteria include cover design, overall eye appeal, format, graphics and layout, in-depth research and quality of description. Entries may be submitted by auction firm, auctioneer or cataloger.

39. Coin and currency auction catalogs

40. Catalogs for auctions of books and exonumia

COMMERCIAL PUBLICATIONS

41. LEE MARTIN FOUNDER’S AWARD

For Best Investment Newsletter: Criteria include overall reader appeal, quality of research and writing, and graphics as applicable. Submit three (3) copies EACH of three (3) issues – total, nine (9) items.

42. BEST DEALER-PUBLISHED MAGAZINE OR NEWSPAPER

Criteria include overall reader appeal, quality of research and writing, and graphics excellence. Submit three (3) copies EACH of at least three (3) different issues.

BEST ALL-AROUND PORTFOLIO

43. Collection of writings and/or photographs and related items demonstrating numismatic writing ability and versatility. Organization and presentation will count as heavily as volume. Only one (1) copy of portfolio need be submitted; other copies of items included in portfolio may also be submitted in other relevant categories at entrant’s option.

BEST WRITER IN NLG NEWSLETTER

44. NLG Newsletter editor alone selects winner. Criteria include writing skill and style, numismatic or organization support, content to inform the member readers. No entries accepted; editor alone decides.

AUDIO-VISUAL

45. RADIO

Best news story, feature report or continuing series involving numismatics. Entries must include standard-size audiocassette of story or feature report or three (3) selections from continuing series, accompanied by written statement citing date(s) of broadcast, call letters and location of radio station, as well as information required in NLG rules listed above. Interview segments no longer qualify for this category.

46. AUDIO

Best audio program involving numismatics, but non-broadcast. Includes audio tracks from numismatic slide shows, educational tapes, audio newsletters and other presentations. Entries must include standard-size audiocassette, written statement citing date(s) of first use, plus information required in NLG rules above. Interview segments no longer qualify for this category.

47. TELEVISION

Best spot news story, feature report or continuing series involving numismatics. Entries must include standard-size cassette recording of television broadcast or three (3) selections from continuing series. Tape must be either half-inch VHS or ¾-inch professional videocassette, and must be accompanied by a written statement citing date(s) of broadcast, call letters and location of station, plus information required in NLG rules above. Interview segments no longer qualify for this category.

48. VIDEO – NON-COMMERCIAL

Best non-broadcast slide film, movie film or videotape presentation involving numismatics made for educational purposes. Entry must include audio as well as visual materials – either written script or soundtrack of film, audio or video cassette used in presentation. Entry must be accompanied by a written statement citing date(s) of first use, plus information required by NLG rules above. Interview segments no longer qualify for this category.

49. VIDEO – COMMERCIAL

Best non-broadcast slide film, movie film or videotape presentation involving numismatics made to promote a company or product. Entry must include audio as well as visual materials – either written script or soundtrack of film, audio or video cassette used in presentation. Entry must be accompanied by a written statement citing date(s) of first use, plus information required by NLG rules above. Interview segments no longer qualify for this category.

SPECIAL MEMORIAL AWARDS

 50. JAMES L. MILLER MEMORIAL AWARD

This award, honoring the co-founder and longtime publisher of COINage magazine, recognizes the best numismatic article to appear in any medium, including both numismatic and non-numismatic magazines, newspapers and Internet Web sites. Submit three (3) copies or printouts of an article dealing with any subject related to numismatics. Criteria include overall reader appeal, research quality and writing excellence. Articles submitted in this category may also be submitted in other applicable categories.

51. 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.

52. THE CLEMY

The winner of this award, the Guild’s highest honor, is chosen by the previous year’s recipient from a list of nominees provided by the NLG Board of Directors.

NLG reserves the right to limit the number of plaques for any given entry, with the number to be determined at its discretion. NLG will provide plaques only for the persons named in an entry when it is originally submitted.