Are you a collector or a numismatist?

Outhaul · March 27, 2003 8:10PM

Someone at work asked me this question. He is a stamp collector (his choice of terminology) as opposed to a philatelist. He feels that there are many coin "collectors" but fewer true "numismatists". He bases his definitions on level of knowledge and authority within the hobby. I find his definitions way off base.

So...what do you consider yourself? How do you define it?

As for myself, some would consider me a numismatist. I don't see myself as that. It's a comfort level with me, I'm not comfortable accepting that title with my current knowledge level. I'm not certain what level will change that, but I'll know it when I see it.

Cheers,

Bob

dorkkarl · March 27, 2003 8:12PM

both. the 2 groups are not mutually exclusive

K S

Petescorner · March 27, 2003 8:18PM

I would not consider myself a numismatist either. But then again, there are some who would consider anyone who sells a single coin on eBay as a "Coin Dealer."

DeepCoin · March 27, 2003 9:26PM

I believe that a numismatist is similar to a scientist. While there are credentials available, you tend to self identify. From my own perspective, I tend to see people like David Bowers as a numismatist, while I see myself as a coin collector. However, where the line is between the expert and the rookie like myself is very cloudy. However, enthusiasm for the hobby is what really counts.

nwcs · March 27, 2003 9:38PM

I'm 80% collector, 10% impulsive buyer, 5% investor, 3% numismatist, and 2% circus filler.

keoj · March 27, 2003 9:41PM

I like to think as myself as both. I write an occasional article for the Gobrecht Journal and often try to do basic research on the series that I collect. Thats the numismatist in me. I also collect coins.

keoj

coinguy1 · March 27, 2003 9:43PM

I think a better question would be - "are you an investor or a numsimatist?" or "are you a numismatist or merely collecting coins?"

I also wonder, how many people outside of our hobby know what a numismatist is and, whether they do or not, if they can pronounce it?

Conder101 · March 27, 2003 9:52PM

I am both. I think of myself as a numismatist first and a collector second.

tgilliams · March 27, 2003 10:00PM

I'm a collector who his turning into a fledgling numisist as I contunue my study of US Coins. Hopefully in the future I can balance the two out. Will always be a collector, but a much better one as I learn more.

CarlWohlforth · March 27, 2003 10:34PM

I consider myself a numismatist. I enjoy learning about coins. I strive to learn something new every day.

Here is an article on the term Numismatist.

lablover · March 27, 2003 11:08PM

I'm a collector...I can't spell numasist. But, I do enjoy learning about coins. I mostly enjoy spending them.

hughesm1 · March 27, 2003 11:11PM

<< <i>I consider myself a numismatist. I enjoy learning about coins. I strive to learn something new every day. Here is an article on the term Numismatist. >>

In reference to the article Carl linked, in the field of Bust Halves and Morgans I'd consider myself a numismatist. Everything else I'm merely a collector

lathmach · March 27, 2003 11:12PM

I'm like keoj. When I was young, I was just a collector. As I got older, I became more interested in the manufacture of the coins, the history and politics at the time of their usage. This makes collecting much more enjoyable to me.

Ray

satootoko · March 27, 2003 11:29PM

Numismatists are collectors.

Collectors are not necessarily numismatists.

I consider myself a NIT (Numismatist In Training) on early modern Japanese coinage

, an SC (Straight Collector) on everything else!

mdwoods · March 27, 2003 11:36PM

I'm a collector who is turning into a fledgling numismatist as I continue my study of US Coins.

I stole this from tgilliams, but it fits me. I did fix the spelling a bit.

ARCO · March 28, 2003 12:58AM

Both - as they go hand in hand. Problem is that many series have a lack of written material one can study. I have worn my complete guide to Barber halves into dust and my 50 copies spanning ten years of the Barber coin collector society journals have been read and re-read a dozen times now!

I am a thirsty sponge!

Tyler

nwcs · March 28, 2003 1:04AM

You know, the more I get into coins the less I want to know all the nuances. The more I want to see the beauty of each coin. Now, I want to be aware of varieties and such, but only to a certain level. I think I'm focusing more on aesthetics now.

ccr · March 28, 2003 1:17AM

Definitly not a numismatist. Collector? I`m an accumulator that hopes to graduate to collector someday.

paigowjohnny · March 28, 2003 1:21AM

Collector and chick magnet...

Clankeye · March 28, 2003 1:29AM

I have said this before--just because I own and appreciate house plants does not make me a botanist.

I am a collector/appreciator. A numismatist seems a lofty term. Then again... numismatics is a hobby, an occupation, and if you participate in it, I guess that would make you a numismatist.

Okay I changed my mind. I'm a Collectmatist.

Carl

dorkkarl · March 28, 2003 1:38AM

a lot of collectors are numis-plastics.

nothing wrong w/ that, in fact, i think recognition of this as a new & valid hobby would be beneficial to slabing co's.

K S

MAULUMALL · March 28, 2003 2:43AM

I'm more of an accumulator.
I buy coins that are pleasing to my eye.I have 5 of the same year Morgans that are each unique.
I buy what I like.

eagle7 · March 28, 2003 2:46AM

No!

michael · March 28, 2003 3:20AM

based on past experience...............as to what i truly am in coins

by defination i am a buy higher ......................sell lower/much lower coin person

what that is specifically called i do not know

sincerely michael

Conder101 · March 28, 2003 9:08PM

<< <i>Numismatists are collectors >>

Not always. I was a numismatist for six years before I ever started collecting and I still study many areas that I do not, and don't intend, to collect. Breen got out of collecting in the sixties or early seventies but continued researching. There are others.

Bustman · March 28, 2003 9:56PM

Collector! But I aspire to be a numismatist!

KlectorKid · March 28, 2003 10:22PM

I am a collector. I really have no specific field I want to reseach so I soak up knowledge from all of them. But you never know a whole lot about one series doing that.

Gemini · March 29, 2003 1:24AM

I haven't bought a coin in ten years...coin books are everywhere...I even sleep with coin books...I think I'm really an incurable Numisma-mess.

wallstreetman · March 29, 2003 1:46AM

For once I agree with the Dork, minus the plastics part!

morganbarber · March 29, 2003 2:22AM

I am a collector who aspires to be a numismatist.

kranky · March 29, 2003 2:28AM

Gemini, I probably went through a 12-year period without buying a coin. I kept buying books, though!

I buy so few coins I would probably not qualify as a collector, so that leaves numismatist.

Are you a collector or a numismatist?

Comments

Leave a Comment