History of PAN

The Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists was originally organized to stop the sale of the numismatic collection of the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, PA. Court proceedings and agreements halted the sale of part of the extensive collection along with the efforts of the PAN founders.

Sam Paguia was the first president of PAN. His primary focus was to establish a young PAN organization as a recognized mouthpiece for the coin collecting community. Some of his noteworthy accomplishments included building a relationship between PAN and U.S. Chief engravers Gilroy Roberts and Frank Gasparro. They were both honorary members of PAN and both have awards named after them that are periodically given to worthy individuals that have devoted exemplary efforts to the coin collecting hobby.

The third president of PAN, Donald Carlucci was instrumental in making PAN a truly statewide association. He cultivated a friendship and co-operative relationship with noted numismatists in various parts of Pennsylvania. His tireless work with John Eshbach from Lancaster, Robert Matyleweicz of Scranton, and prominent coin dealer Harry Forman of Philadelphia completed the important circle encompassing all of Pennsylvania as a recognized entity to keep the keystone state on the numismatic map.

The PAN Coin Shows and Conventions have made the rounds to all areas of Pennsylvania. They started with small and modest beginnings in Pittsburgh, PA and continued to grow from the hard work from various show chairpersons that had a passion and dedication to promoting numismatics across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Our first show chairman was Pittsburgh dealer Cliff Sutton who put together a small coin show at Station Square Pittsburgh, PA. The reigns were handed to and capably run by Pittsburgh coin dealer Gifford Kelly. With the advancement across the state, show chairmen Bob Matyleweicz, Paul Haleman, and Richard Cross kept the wheels turning and PAN would continue to grow.

The PAN conventions returned for a long run at the Pittsburgh Expo Mart under the expertise of John and Kathy Sarosi. This period was a time of significant growth. PAN was instrumental in the repeal of state sales tax on coins and bullion. This was a battle that began with John Eshbach as president and was revived and successfully won through the hard work of the Sarosi’s and the PAN Board’s decision to raise money to hire a lobbyist to get the legislation passed.

Today the Pennsylvania Association of Numismatists is a strong, vibrant, and a nationally recognized organization that is dedicated to the study and education of numismatics and promotion of the hobby. Our members are enthusiastic with an energy that resonates throughout the bourse floor of our spring and fall conventions.

PAN History Images