I think a professional is someone who is in the business to make money. The analogy of the oldest profession in the world applies to many coin dealers. However, I would NOT call many of them experts in numismatics. I'm not sure I'd label all collectors as amateurs either. I prefer the term hobbyist for collectors. And there are different levels of hobbyist. Beginners to advanced, but few experts there too.
it's intriguing that most of the thread seems to focus on "Amateur" and "Professional" while scarcely a word is devoted to "Numismatist" and what it really means.
Professional numismatists drink 85% of the world's supply of Scotch and bourbon and consume 95% of the world's supply of Rolaids while the amateur numismatists drive the professional numismatists to those numbers.
Comments
I think a professional is someone who is in the business to make money. The analogy of the oldest profession in the world applies to many coin dealers.
However, I would NOT call many of them experts in numismatics. I'm not sure I'd label all collectors as amateurs either. I prefer the term hobbyist for collectors. And there are different levels of hobbyist. Beginners to advanced, but few experts there too.
it's intriguing that most of the thread seems to focus on "Amateur" and "Professional" while scarcely a word is devoted to "Numismatist" and what it really means.
A professional does it for a living. An amateur does it for a couple of hours when he gets home from work.
"What are the differences between “Professional Numismatists” and “Amateur Numismatists?”"
About $1 million in coins
BHNC #203
Professional numismatists drink 85% of the world's supply of Scotch and bourbon and consume 95% of the world's supply of Rolaids while the amateur numismatists drive the professional numismatists to those numbers.