Founded 1915
San Francisco
The Pacific Coast Numismatic Society
The West's Oldest Numismatic Organization
PCNS exists to promote,
develop, and foster Numismatics in all its branches along educational, historical, and scientific
lines, and to provide opportunities for collectors to share in an organization of mutual interest
and good fellowship.
- MEETINGS: Our regular monthly meetings in San Francisco feature presentations
on numismatic topics ranging from US coins, tokens, and medals to Ancient, Medieval, and Modern
World coinage, currency, and exonumia.
- HISTORY: PCNS was founded by Farran Zerbe and a group of local SF businessmen when Zerbe came to San Francisco
to supervise the U.S. Mint Exhibit at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. PCNS hosted
the 1915 ANA Convention in San Francisco that same year. At that time, there were no other coin organizations
west of the Mississippi! Nearly 100 years and over 1,160 monthly meetings later, PCNS continues
to be a gathering place for studious numismatists of the greater San Francisco Bay Area.
- RESEARCH: PCNS has sponsored an Annual Papers Contest for
numismatic writers for several decades. We've published the submissions to our members, and serve
as a clearinghouse for numismatists throughout the West. Our latest papers can now be read on this site. Our reference library,
once housed inside The Old San Francisco Mint, is available
for public research at the Sutro Branch of the California State Library in San Francisco.
- MEMBERSHIP: Members receive monthly notices regarding meetings, programs,
publications, medals, and our annual awards banquet. Our new papers and research publications are sent to members as they are published. Many of the most illustrious names in numismatics
have been members of the Society. Consider adding your name to the list.
- The President's Page — ramblings of
the PCNS President.
We
invite you to join PCNS and take part in the traditions of the first numismatic group of the American
West!
California Non-profit Corporation No. C0447260
