In The Beginning...

Just like the phrase mentioned in the bible, there are always forces that triggers an event to happen. In the case of Philippine Numismatic, it all started out from a past time against boredom, loneliness, and the longing for ones home that gave life to a living passion.

Gilbert Perez, was just among the thousand of educators on board the Thomasite who chose to leave the United States and seek a new beginning in the East. The United States was under an economic recession that had brought down the number of opportunities for local employment and forces the young professionals to accept risky job offers abroad. The young Gilbert Perez had no idea what awaits him in the Philippines, other than the hope from a migrant who has faith on what is called "The American Dream".

Boredom, loneliness, and homesickness are the common ailments of a foreigner in a foreign land. As Perez seek a new way of curing himself, he had accidentally discovered an alley in the heart of Manila that made him a new man, a man capable of adaptation. His discoveries of Chinese stores in downtown Manila, selling coins and other antiquities permanently gave him a sense of new beginning. He would scout the suburbs to look for coins and other stuffs that maybe worth to study and fill his thirst for new discovery. In fact, the discovery of Barilla and the rare 1733 Eight Reales MX are just some of Perez contribution to the world of Numismatic while, the Philippine Numismatic and Antiquarian Society became Perez greatest contribution to Philippine history.

The journey of the organization (Philippine Numismatics and Antiquarian Society) continues but the likes of Gilbert Perez would always be missed.